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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
3.12.233.12.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.24

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

पुलहो नाभितो जज्ञे पुलस्त्य: कर्णयोऋर्षि: ।

अङ्गिरा मुखतोऽक्ष्णोऽत्रिर्मरीचिर्मनसोऽभवत् ॥ २४ ॥

pulaho nābhito jajñe

pulastyaḥ karṇayor ṛṣiḥ

aṅgirā mukhato ’kṣṇo ’trir

marīcir manaso ’bhavat

Translation

Pulastya was generated from the ears, Aṅgirā from the mouth, Atri from the eyes, Marīci from the mind and Pulaha from the navel of Brahmā.

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.

Sages Appear From Brahmā

  1. 1

    Pulastya was generated from Brahmā’s ears, and Aṅgirā from his mouth.

  2. 2

    Atri appeared from Brahmā’s eyes, and Marīci from his mind.

  3. 3

    Pulaha was generated from Brahmā’s navel. The verse describes distinct places from which these sages appeared.

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. pulahaḥthe sage Pulaha
  2. nābhitaḥfrom the navel
  3. jajñegenerated
  4. pulastyaḥthe sage Pulastya
  5. karṇayoḥfrom the ears
  6. ṛṣiḥthe great sage
  7. aṅgirāḥthe sage Aṅgirā
  8. mukhataḥfrom the mouth
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

Which of these sages and their places of origin can you recall?

Practice

Read the translation aloud once, then write down the five sages and where each appeared.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySages Appear From BrahmāThis 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 3.12.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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