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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
3.20.123.20.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.13

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

रज:प्रधानान्महतस्त्रिलिङ्गो दैवचोदितात् ।

जात: ससर्ज भूतादिर्वियदादीनि पञ्चश: ॥ १३ ॥

rajaḥ-pradhānān mahatas

tri-liṅgo daiva-coditāt

jātaḥ sasarja bhūtādir

viyad-ādīni pañcaśaḥ

Translation

As impelled by the destiny of the jīva, the false ego, which is of three kinds, evolved from the mahat-tattva, in which the element of rajas predominates. From the ego, in turn, evolved many groups of five principles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Nature Unfolds in Groups

  1. 1

    Impelled by the destiny of the jīva, three kinds of false ego evolved from the mahat-tattva, in which passion predominates.

  2. 2

    The five material elements are earth, water, fire, air and ether. The five subtle sense objects are sound, touch, form, taste and smell.

  3. 3

    The senses for acquiring knowledge are eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin; the working senses are speech, hands, feet, anus and genitals. Some count a fifth group consisting of the five controlling deities.

Key points from the purport
  • The primordial matter, or prakṛti, material nature, consisting of three modes, generates four groups of five.
  • The third group is the five sense organs for acquiring knowledge: eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin.
  • One group is the sense objects, one is the five elements, one is the five sense organs for acquiring knowledge, another is the senses for working, and the fifth group is the five deities who control these divisions.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rajaḥ-pradhānātin which the element of rajas, or passion, predominates
  2. mahataḥfrom the mahat-tattva
  3. tri-liṅgaḥof three kinds
  4. daiva-coditātimpelled by superior authority
  5. jātaḥwas born
  6. sasarjaevolved
  7. bhūta-ādiḥthe false ego (origin of the material elements)
  8. viyatthe ether
  9. ādīnibeginning with
  10. pañcaśaḥin groups of five
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 this organized description help me understand the components of material nature?

Practice

Make a short list of the four groups of five described in the purport.

Live this todayMaterial Nature Unfolds in GroupsThis 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 3.20.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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