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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
3.12.473.12.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.48

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

शब्दब्रह्मात्मनस्तस्य व्यक्ताव्यक्तात्मन: पर: ।

ब्रह्मावभाति विततो नानाशक्त्युपबृंहित: ॥ ४८ ॥

śabda-brahmātmanas tasya

vyaktāvyaktātmanaḥ paraḥ

brahmāvabhāti vitato

nānā-śakty-upabṛṁhitaḥ

Translation

Brahmā is the personal representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the source of transcendental sound and is therefore above the conception of manifested and unmanifested. Brahmā is the complete form of the Absolute Truth and is invested with multifarious energies.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect Brahmā as the Lord's Empowered Representative

  1. 1

    Brahmā's post is the highest responsible post within the universe and is offered to its most perfect personality. When no suitable living being is available, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself becomes Brahmā.

  2. 2

    Brahmā is the complete representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the material world. Transcendental sound, praṇava, comes from him, and he is invested with multifarious energies.

  3. 3

    Brahmā's transcendental value should not be minimized because he exhibited a tendency to enjoy his own daughter. The purport says this exhibition has a purpose, and he should not be condemned like an ordinary living entity.

Key points from the purport
  • The post of Brahmā is the highest responsible post within the universe, and it is offered to the most perfect personality of the universe.
  • Sometimes the Supreme Personality of Godhead has to become Brahmā when there is no suitable living being to occupy the post.
  • In the material world, Brahmā is the complete representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and transcendental sound, praṇava, comes from him.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śabda-brahmatranscendental sound
  2. ātmanaḥof the Supreme Lord
  3. tasyaHis
  4. vyaktamanifested
  5. avyakta-ātmanaḥof the unmanifested
  6. paraḥtranscendental
  7. brahmāthe Absolute
  8. avabhāticompletely manifested
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

  • 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 does Brahmā's dependence on the Supreme Personality of Godhead shape my understanding of his position?

Practice

Write one sentence describing Brahmā's responsibility and empowerment as the Lord's representative.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect Brahmā as the Lord's Empowered RepresentativeThis 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 3.12.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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