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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 12: Creation of the Kumāras and Others
3.12.203.12.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.21

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.12.20inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अथाभिध्यायत: सर्गं दश पुत्रा: प्रजज्ञिरे ।

भगवच्छक्तियुक्तस्य लोकसन्तानहेतव: ॥ २१ ॥

athābhidhyāyataḥ sargaṁ

daśa putrāḥ prajajñire

bhagavac-chakti-yuktasya

loka-santāna-hetavaḥ

Translation

Brahmā, who was empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thought of generating living entities and begot ten sons for the extension of the generations.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā Creates Through the Lord’s Power

  1. 1

    Brahmā was empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His power to generate living entities depended on the Lord.

  2. 2

    Brahmā thought of generating living entities and begot ten sons.

  3. 3

    These sons were meant to extend the generations. Their birth served the work of creation.

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. athathus
  2. abhidhyāyataḥwhile thinking of
  3. sargamcreation
  4. daśaten
  5. putrāḥsons
  6. prajajñirewere begotten
  7. bhagavatregarding the Personality of Godhead
  8. śaktipotency
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

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

What does Brahmā’s dependence on the Lord teach you about your own abilities?

Practice

Before beginning one task today, pause to acknowledge your dependence on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Creates Through the Lord’s PowerThis 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 3.12.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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