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Study a Verse

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
3.15.13.15.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.2

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.15.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

लोके तेनाहतालोके लोकपाला हतौजस: ।

न्यवेदयन् विश्वसृजे ध्वान्तव्यतिकरं दिशाम् ॥ २ ॥

loke tenāhatāloke

loka-pālā hataujasaḥ

nyavedayan viśva-sṛje

dhvānta-vyatikaraṁ diśām

Translation

By the force of the pregnancy of Diti, the light of the sun and moon was impaired in all the planets, and the demigods of various planets, being disturbed by that force, asked the creator of the universe, Brahmā, “What is this expansion of darkness in all directions?”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Darkness Disturbs the Demigods

  1. 1

    The force of Diti’s pregnancy impaired the light of the sun and moon throughout the planets. The demigods became disturbed and approached Brahmā.

  2. 2

    The purport understands this verse to describe one sun supplying light to all planets in the universe. It describes the moon and other shining bodies as reflecting sunlight.

  3. 3

    The demoniac influence of the sons in Diti’s womb spread darkness throughout the universe. The demigods asked what was causing this darkness.

Key points from the purport
  • It appears from this verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that the sun is the source of light for all the planets in the universe.
  • It is understood that in each universe there is only one sun, which supplies light to all the planets.
  • The demoniac influence of the sons in the womb of Diti expanded darkness throughout 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 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. lokewithin this universe
  2. tenaby the force of the pregnancy of Diti
  3. āhatabeing devoid of
  4. ālokelight
  5. loka-pālāḥthe demigods of various planets
  6. hata-ojasaḥwhose prowess was diminished
  7. nyavedayanasked
  8. viśva-sṛjeBrahmā
  9. dhvānta-vyatikaramexpansion of darkness
  10. diśāmin all directions
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “understands”

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

When something disturbs me, do I seek understanding before reacting?

Practice

Write down one thing you do not understand in this verse and ask for help understanding it.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDarkness Disturbs the DemigodsThis 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 3.15.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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