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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
3.20.133.20.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.14

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

तानि चैकैकश: स्रष्टुमसमर्थानि भौतिकम् ।

संहत्य दैवयोगेन हैममण्डमवासृजन् ॥ १४ ॥

tāni caikaikaśaḥ sraṣṭum

asamarthāni bhautikam

saṁhatya daiva-yogena

haimam aṇḍam avāsṛjan

Translation

Separately unable to produce the material universe, they combined with the help of the energy of the Supreme Lord and were able to produce a shining egg.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Energy Enables Creation

  1. 1

    The material elements could not produce the universe separately.

  2. 2

    They combined with the help of the Supreme Lord’s energy.

  3. 3

    Through this combination, they produced a shining egg. Their ability to produce it depended on the Lord’s energy.

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. tānithose elements
  2. caand
  3. eka-ekaśaḥseparately
  4. sraṣṭumto produce
  5. asamarthāniunable
  6. bhautikamthe material universe
  7. saṁhatyahaving combined
  8. daiva-yogenawith the energy of the Supreme Lord
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

  • 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

What does the elements’ dependence teach me about the Supreme Lord’s energy?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly, pausing at the words “with the help of the energy of the Supreme Lord.”

Live this todayThe Lord’s Energy Enables CreationThis 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 3.20.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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