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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
3.12.493.12.51

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.50

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

ऋषीणां भूरिवीर्याणामपि सर्गमविस्तृतम् ।

ज्ञात्वा तद्‍धृदये भूयश्चिन्तयामास कौरव ॥ ५० ॥

ṛṣīṇāṁ bhūri-vīryāṇām

api sargam avistṛtam

jñātvā tad dhṛdaye bhūyaś

cintayām āsa kaurava

Translation

O son of the Kurus, when Brahmā saw that in spite of the presence of sages of great potency there was no sufficient increase in population, he seriously began to consider how the population could be increased.

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.

Brahmā Considers How to Further Creation

  1. 1

    Sages of great potency were already present.

  2. 2

    Brahmā saw that, despite their presence, the population had not increased sufficiently.

  3. 3

    He seriously began to consider how the population could be increased.

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. ṛṣīṇāmof the great sages
  2. bhūri-vīryāṇāmwith great potency
  3. apiin spite of
  4. sargamthe creation
  5. avistṛtamnot extended
  6. jñātvāknowing
  7. tatthat
  8. hṛdayein his heart
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

When my efforts are not producing the needed result, do I pause to consider what should change?

Practice

Choose one responsibility whose progress is insufficient and spend two quiet minutes considering a practical next step.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Considers How to Further CreationThis 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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