1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha
3.13.143.13.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.15

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śrī Manusince 3.13.14inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यदोक: सर्वभूतानां मही मग्ना महाम्भसि ।

अस्या उद्धरणे यत्नो देव देव्या विधीयताम् ॥ १५ ॥

yad okaḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ

mahī magnā mahāmbhasi

asyā uddharaṇe yatno

deva devyā vidhīyatām

Translation

O master of the demigods, please attempt to lift the earth, which is merged in the great water, because it is the dwelling place for all the living entities. It can be done by your endeavor and by the mercy of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Endeavor While Depending on the Lord's Mercy

  1. 1

    The earth is submerged in great water and needs to be lifted because it is the dwelling place of living entities.

  2. 2

    The request recognizes both personal endeavor and the mercy of the Lord as necessary for lifting the earth.

  3. 3

    The purport identifies this great water as the Garbhodaka Ocean, which fills half of the universe.

Key points from the purport
  • The great water mentioned in this connection is the Garbhodaka Ocean, which fills half of the universe.

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

Threat and anger → Rescue and wonder. Divine protection appears amid cosmic confrontation.

Chapters 13–19 of Canto 3: Varāha, Jaya and Vijaya, Hiraṇyākṣa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha

Lord Varāha appears from Brahmā’s nose, lifts the submerged earth, and receives the sages’ prayers.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatbecause
  2. okaḥthe dwelling place
  3. sarvafor all
  4. bhūtānāmliving entities
  5. mahīthe earth
  6. magnāmerged
  7. mahā-ambhasiin the great water
  8. asyāḥof this
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “mercy”

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 you combine sincere effort with dependence on the Lord's mercy?

Practice

Before taking one practical step to help someone today, briefly ask for the Lord's mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEndeavor While Depending on the Lord's MercyThis 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 3.13.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories