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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
3.12.363.12.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.37

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.12.37inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

ऋग्यजु:सामाथर्वाख्यान् वेदान् पूर्वादिभिर्मुखै: ।

शास्त्रमिज्यां स्तुतिस्तोमं प्रायश्चित्तं व्यधात्क्रमात् ॥ ३७ ॥

maitreya uvāca

ṛg-yajuḥ-sāmātharvākhyān

vedān pūrvādibhir mukhaiḥ

śāstram ijyāṁ stuti-stomaṁ

prāyaścittaṁ vyadhāt kramāt

Translation

Maitreya said: Beginning from the front face of Brahmā, gradually the four Vedas — Ṛk, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva — became manifest. Thereafter, Vedic hymns which had not been pronounced before, priestly rituals, the subject matters of the recitation, and transcendental activities were all established, one after another.

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.

Vedic Knowledge Unfolds in Order

  1. 1

    Maitreya explains that the four Vedas manifested gradually from Brahmā’s faces, beginning with the front face.

  2. 2

    The four Vedas are Ṛk, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva.

  3. 3

    Previously unpronounced Vedic hymns, priestly rituals, subjects of recitation and transcendental activities were then established one after another.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. ṛk-yajuḥ-sāma-atharvathe four Vedas
  3. ākhyānof the name
  4. vedānVedic literatures
  5. pūrva-ādibhiḥbeginning with the front
  6. mukhaiḥby the mouths
  7. śāstramVedic hymns not pronounced before
  8. ijyāmpriestly rituals
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.12

    In this verse: “recitation”

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

Am I willing to learn patiently, one subject at a time?

Practice

Write down the names Ṛk, Yajur, Sāma and Atharva, and read them aloud once.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVedic Knowledge Unfolds in OrderThis 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 3.12.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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