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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
3.12.313.12.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.32

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

तस्मै नमो भगवते य इदं स्वेन रोचिषा ।

आत्मस्थं व्यञ्जयामास स धर्मं पातुमर्हति ॥ ३२ ॥

tasmai namo bhagavate

ya idaṁ svena rociṣā

ātma-sthaṁ vyañjayām āsa

sa dharmaṁ pātum arhati

Translation

Let us offer our respectful obeisances unto the Personality of Godhead, who, by His own effulgence, while situated in Himself, has manifested this cosmos. May He also protect religion for all goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek the Supreme Lord’s Merciful Protection

  1. 1

    The Personality of Godhead manifested the cosmos by His own effulgence. The prayer asks Him to protect religion for everyone’s good.

  2. 2

    When their appeals could not dissuade Brahmā, his sons prayed to the Supreme Lord for his good sense. Only the Lord’s grace can protect one from lusty material desires.

  3. 3

    The Lord protects devotees engaged in His transcendental loving service. By His causeless mercy, He forgives a devotee’s accidental fall.

Key points from the purport
  • Lust for sexual intercourse is so strong that it appears herein that Brahmā could not be dissuaded from his determination in spite of the appeal by his great sons like Marīci.
  • Therefore, the great sons began to pray to the Supreme Lord for the good sense of Brahmā.
  • Therefore, sages like Marīci prayed for the mercy of the Lord, and their prayer was fruitful.

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. tasmaiunto Him
  2. namaḥobeisances
  3. bhagavateunto the Personality of Godhead
  4. yaḥwho
  5. idamthis
  6. svenaby His own
  7. rociṣāeffulgence
  8. ātma-sthamsituated in Himself
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”, “causeless”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lusty”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religion”

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

When desire clouds my judgment, do I seek the Lord’s protection?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer for protection from distracting desires and help in serving the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek the Supreme Lord’s Merciful ProtectionThis 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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