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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 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
3.20.113.20.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.12

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.20.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

दैवेन दुर्वितर्क्येण परेणानिमिषेण च ।

जातक्षोभाद्भगवतो महानासीद् गुणत्रयात् ॥ १२ ॥

maitreya uvāca

daivena durvitarkyeṇa

pareṇānimiṣeṇa ca

jāta-kṣobhād bhagavato

mahān āsīd guṇa-trayāt

Translation

Maitreya said: When the equilibrium of the combination of the three modes of nature was agitated by the unseen activity of the living entity, by Mahā-Viṣṇu and by the force of time, the total material elements were produced.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation Depends on the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Material creation exists for the conditioned soul who desires to lord it over nature for sense enjoyment. Forgetting the primary duty of serving the Lord creates the atmosphere called māyā.

  2. 2

    The three modes of nature were agitated by the living entity’s unseen activity, Mahā-Viṣṇu and time. Nature works under the supervision of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The Lord remains unchanged in His personal form while creation appears through His inconceivable potency. He accompanies the conditioned soul as Paramātmā as the soul receives a body according to the laws of nature.

Key points from the purport
  • One cannot trace out the history of when the conditioned soul first desired to lord it over material nature, but in Vedic literature we always find that the material creation is meant for the sense enjoyment of the conditioned soul.
  • Material nature is an atmosphere meant only for the sense enjoyment of the conditioned soul, and it is created by the Personality of Godhead.
  • It is mentioned here that in the beginning of the creation the material nature, or prakṛti, is agitated by the Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.

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

Longing and service → Preparedness. Family devotion turns toward higher spiritual fulfillment.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 3: Kardama, Devahūti, family and renunciation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura

Questions about Manu lead to further accounts of Brahmā’s creation of demigods, demons, and other beings.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.20
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. daivenaby superior management known as destiny
  3. durvitarkyeṇabeyond empiric speculation
  4. pareṇaby Mahā-Viṣṇu
  5. animiṣeṇaby the potency of eternal time
  6. caand
  7. jāta-kṣobhātthe equilibrium was agitated
  8. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “material”, “māyā”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “duty”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I seeking to be the enjoyer rather than remembering my duty to serve the Lord?

Practice

Set aside one small pursuit of sense enjoyment today and use that time for devotional service.

Live this todayCreation Depends on 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 3.20.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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