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
3.20.443.20.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.45

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

स किन्नरान किम्पुरुषान् प्रत्यात्म्येनासृजत्प्रभु: ।

मानयन्नात्मनात्मानमात्माभासं विलोकयन् ॥ ४५ ॥

sa kinnarān kimpuruṣān

pratyātmyenāsṛjat prabhuḥ

mānayann ātmanātmānam

ātmābhāsaṁ vilokayan

Translation

One day, Brahmā, the creator of the living entities, beheld his own reflection in the water, and admiring himself, he evolved Kimpuruṣas as well as Kinnaras out of that reflection.

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.

Creation from Brahmā’s Reflection

  1. 1

    Brahmā, the creator of the living entities, saw his own reflection in water.

  2. 2

    As he looked at that reflection, he admired himself.

  3. 3

    From that reflection he evolved the Kimpuruṣas and Kinnaras.

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. saḥLord Brahmā
  2. kinnarānthe Kinnaras
  3. kimpuruṣānthe Kimpuruṣas
  4. pratyātmyenafrom his reflection (in water)
  5. asṛjatcreated
  6. prabhuḥthe lord of the living beings (Brahmā)
  7. mānayanadmiring
  8. ātmanā ātmānamhimself by himself
  9. ātma-ābhāsamhis reflection
  10. vilokayanseeing
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

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

Can I recall how the Kimpuruṣas and Kinnaras appeared in this account?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and note the source from which these two groups appeared.

Live this todayCreation from Brahmā’s ReflectionThis 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 3.20.45? 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