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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
3.12.503.12.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.51

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

अहो अद्भुतमेतन्मे व्यापृतस्यापि नित्यदा ।

न ह्येधन्ते प्रजा नूनं दैवमत्र विघातकम् ॥ ५१ ॥

aho adbhutam etan me

vyāpṛtasyāpi nityadā

na hy edhante prajā nūnaṁ

daivam atra vighātakam

Translation

Brahmā thought to himself: Alas, it is wonderful that in spite of my being scattered all over, there is still insufficient population throughout the universe. There is no other cause for this misfortune but destiny.

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 Reflects on Insufficient Population

  1. 1

    Brahmā wondered why the universe still had insufficient population despite his being scattered all over.

  2. 2

    He expressed both sorrow and surprise at this result.

  3. 3

    Brahmā thought that destiny was the only cause of this misfortune.

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. ahoalas
  2. adbhutamit is wonderful
  3. etatthis
  4. mefor me
  5. vyāpṛtasyabeing busy
  6. apialthough
  7. nityadāalways
  8. nadoes not
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

What do you notice about Brahmā’s response when his efforts do not bring the expected result?

Practice

Reread Brahmā’s words and write one sentence describing his disappointment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Reflects on Insufficient PopulationThis 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 3.12.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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