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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
3.15.43.15.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.5

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The fortunate demigodssince 3.15.3inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

नमो विज्ञानवीर्याय माययेदमुपेयुषे ।

गृहीतगुणभेदाय नमस्तेऽव्यक्तयोनये ॥ ५ ॥

namo vijñāna-vīryāya

māyayedam upeyuṣe

gṛhīta-guṇa-bhedāya

namas te ’vyakta-yonaye

Translation

O original source of strength and scientific knowledge, all obeisances unto you! You have accepted the differentiated mode of passion from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. With the help of external energy you are born of the unmanifested source. All obeisances unto you!

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vedic Knowledge Comes from the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The Vedas are described as the original scientific knowledge for all departments of understanding. The Supreme Personality of Godhead first placed this knowledge in Brahmā’s heart.

  2. 2

    Brahmā was born directly from the transcendental body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Because this source remains unseen by creatures of the material universe, Brahmā is described as born of the unmanifested.

  3. 3

    Brahmā is the incarnation of the mode of passion in material nature. This nature is the Supreme Lord’s separated, external energy.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas are the original scientific knowledge for all departments of understanding, and this knowledge of the Vedas was first impregnated into the heart of Brahmā by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Brahmā is stated here to be born of the unmanifested.
  • He is the incarnation of the mode of passion in material nature, which is the separated, external energy of the Supreme Lord.

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. namaḥrespectful obeisances
  2. vijñāna-vīryāyaO original source of strength and scientific knowledge
  3. māyayāby the external energy
  4. idamthis body of Brahmā
  5. upeyuṣehaving obtained
  6. gṛhītaaccepting
  7. guṇa-bhedāyathe differentiated mode of passion
  8. namaḥ teoffering obeisances unto you
  9. avyaktaunmanifested
  10. yonayesource
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “separated”

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 does remembering the divine source of Vedic knowledge affect my approach to study?

Practice

Before studying today, pause to acknowledge the Supreme Personality of Godhead as the source of Vedic knowledge.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVedic Knowledge Comes from the Supreme LordThis 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 3.15.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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