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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 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha
3.13.193.13.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.13.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मरीचिप्रमुखैर्विप्रै: कुमारैर्मनुना सह ।

हृष्ट्वा तत्सौकरं रूपं तर्कयामास चित्रधा ॥ २० ॥

marīci-pramukhair vipraiḥ

kumārair manunā saha

dṛṣṭvā tat saukaraṁ rūpaṁ

tarkayām āsa citradhā

Translation

Struck with wonder at observing the wonderful boarlike form in the sky, Brahmā, with great brāhmaṇas like Marīci, as well as the Kumāras and Manu, began to argue in various ways.

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.

Wonder Leads to Shared Discussion

  1. 1

    Brahmā is struck with wonder on seeing the boarlike form in the sky.

  2. 2

    Great brāhmaṇas such as Marīci, along with the Kumāras and Manu, are present with him.

  3. 3

    They begin to argue in various ways about the form they have observed. The verse presents their discussion without giving its conclusion.

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. marīcithe great sage Marīci
  2. pramukhaiḥheaded by
  3. vipraiḥall brāhmaṇas
  4. kumāraiḥwith the four Kumāras
  5. manunāand with Manu
  6. sahawith
  7. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  8. tatthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 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

How do you respond when something you encounter in your study fills you with wonder?

Practice

Write down one question about the appearance described here, keeping it separate from any conclusions you have not yet read.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWonder Leads to Shared DiscussionThis 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 3.13.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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