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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
3.20.463.20.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.47

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

देहेन वै भोगवता शयानो बहुचिन्तया ।

सर्गेऽनुपचिते क्रोधादुत्ससर्ज ह तद्वपु: ॥ ४७ ॥

dehena vai bhogavatā

śayāno bahu-cintayā

sarge ’nupacite krodhād

utsasarja ha tad vapuḥ

Translation

Once Brahmā lay down with his body stretched at full length. He was very concerned that the work of creation had not proceeded apace, and in a sullen mood he gave up that body too.

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.

Brahmā’s Concern over Creation’s Slow Progress

  1. 1

    Brahmā lay down with his body stretched at full length.

  2. 2

    He was deeply concerned that the work of creation had not progressed quickly.

  3. 3

    In a sullen mood, he gave up that body too.

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. dehenawith his body
  2. vaiindeed
  3. bhogavatāstretching out full length
  4. śayānaḥlying fully stretched
  5. bahugreat
  6. cintayāwith concern
  7. sargethe creation
  8. anupacitenot proceeded
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “gave up”

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 feelings arise in me when important work progresses slowly?

Practice

Name one feeling you experience when work is delayed, and reflect on Brahmā’s concern in this verse.

Live this todayBrahmā’s Concern over Creation’s Slow ProgressThis 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 3.20.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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