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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
3.12.283.12.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.29

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

तमधर्मे कृतमतिं विलोक्य पितरं सुता: ।

मरीचिमुख्या मुनयो विश्रम्भात्प्रत्यबोधयन् ॥ २९ ॥

tam adharme kṛta-matiṁ

vilokya pitaraṁ sutāḥ

marīci-mukhyā munayo

viśrambhāt pratyabodhayan

Translation

Thus, finding their father so deluded in an act of immorality, the sages headed by Marīci, all sons of Brahmā, spoke as follows with great respect.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Correct Wrongdoing Without Losing Respect

  1. 1

    The sages headed by Marīci saw their father’s immoral intention and spoke with great respect.

  2. 2

    They were not wrong to protest against Brahmā’s conduct. Respect for a great personality did not require silence about his mistake.

  3. 3

    The sages understood that there might be a greater purpose behind this conduct, such as warning others about human frailty. They did not neglect or disrespect Brahmā.

Key points from the purport
  • The sages like Marīci were not in the wrong in submitting their protests against the acts of their great father.
  • They knew very well that even though their father committed a mistake, there must have been some great purpose behind the show; otherwise such a great personality could not have committed such a mistake.
  • Therefore, great personalities like Brahmā, even when in the wrong, should not be neglected, nor could the great sages headed by Marīci show any disrespect because of his extraordinary behavior.

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. tamunto him
  2. adharmein the matter of immortality
  3. kṛta-matimthe mind being so given
  4. vilokyaseeing thus
  5. pitaramunto the father
  6. sutāḥsons
  7. marīci-mukhyāḥheaded by Marīci
  8. munayaḥsages
  9. viśrambhātwith due respect
  10. pratyabodhayansubmitted as follows
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “father”, “father’s”

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

How can you speak clearly about wrongdoing without speaking disrespectfully?

Practice

Write one sentence that respectfully raises a concern about wrong conduct without insulting the person.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCorrect Wrongdoing Without Losing RespectThis 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.

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