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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
3.12.353.12.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.36

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.12.36inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

विदुर उवाच

स वै विश्वसृजामीशो वेदादीन् मुखतोऽसृजत् ।

यद् यद् येनासृजद् देवस्तन्मे ब्रूहि तपोधन ॥ ३६ ॥

vidura uvāca

sa vai viśva-sṛjām īśo

vedādīn mukhato ’sṛjat

yad yad yenāsṛjad devas

tan me brūhi tapo-dhana

Translation

Vidura said: O great sage whose only wealth is penance, kindly explain to me how and with whose help Brahmā established the Vedic knowledge which emanated from his mouth.

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.

Ask Respectfully About Vedic Knowledge

  1. 1

    Vidura asks how Brahmā established the Vedic knowledge that emanated from his mouth.

  2. 2

    His inquiry includes whose help Brahmā received. He seeks a clear explanation of how this knowledge was established.

  3. 3

    Vidura respectfully addresses the sage as one whose only wealth is penance. His request is courteous and eager to understand.

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. viduraḥ uvācaVidura said
  2. saḥhe (Brahmā)
  3. vaicertainly
  4. viśvathe universe
  5. sṛjāmof those who created
  6. īśaḥthe controller
  7. veda-ādīnthe Vedas, etc.
  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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “inquiry”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “kindly”

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

Do I approach spiritual learning with respectful, thoughtful questions?

Practice

Write one clear question about Vedic knowledge that you would like to understand better.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Respectfully About Vedic KnowledgeThis 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 3.12.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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