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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
3.12.533.12.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.12.54

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

यस्तु तत्र पुमान् सोऽभून्मनु: स्वायम्भुव: स्वराट् ।

स्त्री याऽसीच्छतरूपाख्या महिष्यस्य महात्मन: ॥ ५४ ॥

yas tu tatra pumān so ’bhūn

manuḥ svāyambhuvaḥ svarāṭ

strī yāsīc chatarūpākhyā

mahiṣy asya mahātmanaḥ

Translation

Out of them, the one who had the male form became known as the Manu named Svāyambhuva, and the woman became known as Śatarūpā, the queen of the great soul Manu.

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.

Svāyambhuva Manu and Queen Śatarūpā

  1. 1

    The male form became known as the Manu named Svāyambhuva.

  2. 2

    The woman became known as Śatarūpā.

  3. 3

    Śatarūpā was the queen of Manu, who is described as a great soul.

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. yaḥone who
  2. tubut
  3. tatrathere
  4. pumānthe male
  5. saḥhe
  6. abhūtbecame
  7. manuḥthe father of mankind
  8. svāyambhuvaḥof the name Svāyambhuva
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

Which names and descriptions help you remember this couple?

Practice

Write the names Svāyambhuva Manu and Śatarūpā, noting that she is his queen.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySvāyambhuva Manu and Queen ŚatarūpāThis 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 3.12.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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