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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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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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
3.15.113.15.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.15.12inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

ब्रह्मोवाच

मानसा मे सुता युष्मत्पूर्वजा: सनकादय: ।

चेरुर्विहायसा लोकाल्लोकेषु विगतस्पृहा: ॥ १२ ॥

brahmovāca

mānasā me sutā yuṣmat-

pūrvajāḥ sanakādayaḥ

cerur vihāyasā lokāl

lokeṣu vigata-spṛhāḥ

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My four sons Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra, who were born from my mind, are your predecessors. Sometimes they travel throughout the material and spiritual skies without any definite desire.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Freedom From Material Desire Enables Service

  1. 1

    Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra were born from Brahmā’s mind and were predecessors of the demigods.

  2. 2

    Their freedom from desire means freedom from desire for material sense gratification.

  3. 3

    These saintly persons sometimes travel throughout the universe of their own accord to preach devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • When we speak of desire we refer to desire for material sense gratification.
  • Saintly persons like Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra have no material desire, but sometimes they travel all over the universe, out of their own accord, to preach devotional service.

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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God

Brahmā describes Vaikuṇṭha, where the Kumāras curse two doorkeepers and then behold the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahmā uvācaLord Brahmā said
  2. mānasāḥborn from the mind
  3. memy
  4. sutāḥsons
  5. yuṣmatthan you
  6. pūrva-jāḥborn previously
  7. sanaka-ādayaḥheaded by Sanaka
  8. ceruḥtraveled
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “material”, “sense gratification”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 might freedom from seeking personal enjoyment make more room for devotional service?

Practice

Share one teaching about devotional service from this verse with someone who is interested.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFreedom From Material Desire Enables ServiceThis 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 3.15.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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