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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others
3.12.183.12.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.19

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.12.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तपसैव परं ज्योतिर्भगवन्तमधोक्षजम् ।

सर्वभूतगुहावासमञ्जसा विन्दते पुमान् ॥ १९ ॥

tapasaiva paraṁ jyotir

bhagavantam adhokṣajam

sarva-bhūta-guhāvāsam

añjasā vindate pumān

Translation

By penance only can one even approach the Personality of Godhead, who is within the heart of every living entity and at the same time beyond the reach of all senses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Penance Seeks the Supreme Lord’s Favor

  1. 1

    The Personality of Godhead resides in every living entity’s heart, yet remains beyond the reach of the senses. The translation says that only by penance can one approach Him.

  2. 2

    Brahmā advises Rudra to perform penance to attain the Supreme Lord’s favor. Rudra should also set an example for his sons and followers.

  3. 3

    People follow the path shown by an authority. Rudra’s followers are therefore advised to stop annihilation while peaceful creation is taking place.

Key points from the purport
  • Rudra was advised by Brahmā to perform penance as an example to his sons and followers that penance is necessary for attaining the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Thus Brahmā, disgusted with the Rudra generations and afraid of being devoured by the increase of population, asked Rudra to stop producing such an unwanted generation and take to penance for attaining the favor of the Supreme Lord.
  • Indirectly, the sons and followers of Rudra are advised to stop the business of annihilation, following the Rudra principle while the peaceful creation of Brahmā is going on.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others

Brahmā’s creation continues with sages, Rudra, sacrificial practices, religious principles, and further forms of life.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tapasāby penance
  2. evaonly
  3. paramthe supreme
  4. jyotiḥlight
  5. bhagavantamunto the Personality of Godhead
  6. adhokṣajamHe who is beyond the approach of the senses
  7. sarva-bhūta-guhā-āvāsamresiding in the heart of all living entities
  8. añjasācompletely
  9. vindatecan know
  10. pumāna person
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “favor”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my example encourage restraint and the desire to attain the Supreme Lord’s favor?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today, putting aside a distraction to remember the Lord within the heart and seek His favor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayPenance Seeks the Supreme Lord’s FavorThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.12.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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