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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
3.12.383.12.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.39

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

इतिहासपुराणानि पञ्चमं वेदमीश्वर: ।

सर्वेभ्य एव वक्त्रेभ्य: ससृजे सर्वदर्शन: ॥ ३९ ॥

itihāsa-purāṇāni

pañcamaṁ vedam īśvaraḥ

sarvebhya eva vaktrebhyaḥ

sasṛje sarva-darśanaḥ

Translation

Then he created the fifth Veda — the Purāṇas and the histories — from all his mouths, since he could see all the past, present and future.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Purāṇas Preserve Universal History

  1. 1

    The Purāṇas and histories, called the fifth Veda, manifested from all of Brahmā’s mouths.

  2. 2

    Unlike histories limited to particular countries or nations, the Purāṇas describe the history of the universe across many kalpas.

  3. 3

    Brahmā could see past, present and future and knew these historical facts. As originally composed by him, the Purāṇas are part of the Vedas.

Key points from the purport
  • There are histories of particular countries and nations and of the world, but the Purāṇas are the histories of the universe, not only in one millennium but in many kalpas.
  • Brahmā has knowledge of those historical facts, and therefore all the Purāṇas are histories.
  • As originally composed by Brahmā, they are part of the Vedas and are called the fifth Veda.

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. itihāsahistories
  2. purāṇānithe Purāṇas (supplementary Vedas)
  3. pañcamamthe fifth
  4. vedamthe Vedic literature
  5. īśvaraḥthe Lord
  6. sarvebhyaḥall together
  7. evacertainly
  8. vaktrebhyaḥfrom his mouths
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

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 does the Purāṇas’ vast historical scope broaden my perspective?

Practice

Write a one-sentence note explaining why the Purāṇas are called the fifth Veda.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Purāṇas Preserve Universal HistoryThis 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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