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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.18.73.18.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.18.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demonsince 3.18.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स गामुदस्तात्सलिलस्य गोचरे

विन्यस्य तस्यामदधात्स्वसत्त्वम् ।

अभिष्टुतो विश्वसृजा प्रसूनै-

रापूर्यमाणो विबुधै: पश्यतोऽरे: ॥ ८ ॥

sa gām udastāt salilasya gocare

vinyasya tasyām adadhāt sva-sattvam

abhiṣṭuto viśva-sṛjā prasūnair

āpūryamāṇo vibudhaiḥ paśyato ’reḥ

Translation

The Lord placed the earth within His sight on the surface of the water and transferred to her His own energy in the form of the ability to float on the water. While the enemy stood looking on, Brahmā, the creator of the universe, extolled the Lord, and the other demigods rained flowers on Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nature Works Under the Lord’s Direction

  1. 1

    The Lord placed the earth on the water and gave her His own energy to float. Brahmā praised Him, and the demigods showered flowers.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the planets receive their floating power from the Lord. The law of gravitation itself works under His control.

  3. 3

    Behind nature’s laws and the growth and maintenance of planetary systems is the Lord’s direction. The devotees appreciate His transcendental activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Those who are demons cannot understand how the Supreme Personality of Godhead floated the earth on water, but to devotees of the Lord this is not a very wonderful act.
  • Not only the earth but many, many millions of planets are floating in the air, and this floating power is endowed upon them by the Lord; there is no other possible explanation.
  • The Lord’s activities could be appreciated only by the demigods, headed by Brahmā, and therefore when they saw the uncommon prowess of the Lord in keeping the earth on the surface of the water, they showered flowers on Him in appreciation of His transcendental activity.

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 18: The Battle Between Lord Boar and the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa

Hiraṇyākṣa challenges Lord Varāha, who protects the earth and fights him as Brahmā prays for victory.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.18
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthe Lord
  2. gāmthe earth
  3. udastāton the surface
  4. salilasyaof the water
  5. gocarewithin His sight
  6. vinyasyahaving placed
  7. tasyāmto the earth
  8. adadhātHe invested
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.18

    In this verse: “devotees”

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 observing the world become an opportunity to appreciate the Lord’s direction?

Practice

Look at the sky for a moment and offer a brief expression of gratitude to the Lord for maintaining the planets.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNature Works Under the Lord’s DirectionThis 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 3.18.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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