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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
3.12.463.12.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.47

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

स्पर्शस्तस्याभवज्जीव: स्वरो देह उदाहृत ।

ऊष्माणमिन्द्रियाण्याहुरन्त:स्था बलमात्मन: ।

स्वरा: सप्त विहारेण भवन्ति स्म प्रजापते: ॥ ४७ ॥

sparśas tasyābhavaj jīvaḥ

svaro deha udāhṛta

ūṣmāṇam indriyāṇy āhur

antaḥ-sthā balam ātmanaḥ

svarāḥ sapta vihāreṇa

bhavanti sma prajāpateḥ

Translation

Brahmā’s soul was manifested as the touch alphabets, his body as the vowels, his senses as the sibilant alphabets, his strength as the intermediate alphabets and his sensual activities as the seven notes of music.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Vedic Sound as Spiritual Sound

  1. 1

    Brahmā's soul, body, senses and strength manifested as different groups of letters, and his sensual activities as the seven notes of music. These sound vibrations are originally called śabda-brahma, or spiritual sound.

  2. 2

    The Vedas are spiritual sound and do not need material interpretation. They should be vibrated as they are, although represented by letters familiar to us materially.

  3. 3

    Everything has its origin in the spiritual world, so ultimately there is nothing material. For realized souls, there is nothing but spirit.

Key points from the purport
  • All these sound vibrations are originally called śabda-brahma, or spiritual sound.
  • The Vedas are spiritual sound, and therefore there is no need of material interpretation for the sound vibration of the Vedic literature.
  • The material manifestation is therefore called illusion in the proper sense of the term.

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. sparśaḥthe set of letters from ka to ma
  2. tasyahis
  3. abhavatbecame
  4. jīvaḥthe soul
  5. svaraḥvowels
  6. dehaḥhis body
  7. udāhṛtaḥare expressed
  8. ūṣmāṇamthe letters śa, ṣa, sa and ha
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 I approach Vedic sound with greater care and respect?

Practice

Slowly read aloud the vowel list in the purport, paying attention to its diacritic spellings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Vedic Sound as Spiritual SoundThis 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 3.12.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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