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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
3.12.243.12.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.25

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

धर्म: स्तनाद्दक्षिणतो यत्र नारायण: स्वयम् ।

अधर्म पृष्ठतो यस्मान्मृत्युर्लोकभयङ्कर: ॥ २५ ॥

dharmaḥ stanād dakṣiṇato

yatra nārāyaṇaḥ svayam

adharmaḥ pṛṣṭhato yasmān

mṛtyur loka-bhayaṅkaraḥ

Translation

Religion was manifested from the breast of Brahmā, wherein is seated the Supreme Personality of Godhead Nārāyaṇa, and irreligion appeared from his back, where horrible death takes place for the living entity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Religion Leads to Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Religion appeared from Brahmā’s breast, where Nārāyaṇa is seated. This shows that religion means devotional service to the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The highest perfection of religion is service to the Lord that is unmotivated and unhampered by material impediments.

  3. 3

    Anything that leads to devotional service is called religion. Anything that does not lead to that service is irreligion.

Key points from the purport
  • That religion was manifested from the place where the Personality of Godhead is personally situated is very significant because religion means devotional service to the Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā as well as the Bhāgavatam.
  • All types of irreligion spring from the back of Brahmā, whereas real religion, the devotional service of the Lord, is generated from the chest, the seat of Nārāyaṇa.
  • Anything which does not lead to the devotional service of the Lord is irreligion, and anything which leads to the devotional service of the Lord is called religion.

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. dharmaḥreligion
  2. stanātfrom the breast
  3. dakṣiṇataḥon the right side
  4. yatrawherein
  5. nārāyaṇaḥthe Supreme Lord
  6. svayampersonally
  7. adharmaḥirreligion
  8. pṛṣṭhataḥfrom the back
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “material”

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 your understanding of religion lead you toward unmotivated service to the Lord?

Practice

Choose one act of devotional service today and do it without asking for a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Religion Leads to Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.12.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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