1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
3.20.413.20.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.42

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.20.26inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ऊर्जस्वन्तं मन्यमान आत्मानं भगवानज: ।

साध्यान् गणान् पितृगणान् परोक्षेणासृजत्प्रभु: ॥ ४२ ॥

ūrjasvantaṁ manyamāna

ātmānaṁ bhagavān ajaḥ

sādhyān gaṇān pitṛ-gaṇān

parokṣeṇāsṛjat prabhuḥ

Translation

Recognizing himself to be full of desire and energy, the worshipful Brahmā, the creator of the living entities, evolved from his own invisible form, from his navel, the hosts of Sādhyas and Pitās.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā Creates the Sādhyas and Pitās

  1. 1

    Brahmā recognized himself to be full of desire and energy.

  2. 2

    He created the hosts of Sādhyas and Pitās from his invisible form, from his navel.

  3. 3

    The purport identifies the Sādhyas and Pitās as invisible forms of departed souls, also created by Brahmā.

Key points from the purport
  • The Sādhyas and Pitās are invisible forms of departed souls, and they are also created by Brahmā.

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. ūrjaḥ-vantamfull of energy
  2. manyamānaḥrecognizing
  3. ātmānamhimself
  4. bhagavānthe most worshipful
  5. ajaḥBrahmā
  6. sādhyānthe demigods
  7. gaṇānhosts
  8. pitṛ-gaṇānand the Pitās
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “worshipful”

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 this verse tell me about the Sādhyas and Pitās?

Practice

Write one sentence identifying the Sādhyas and Pitās as the purport describes them.

Live this todayBrahmā Creates the Sādhyas and PitāsThis 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 3.20.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories