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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
3.20.483.20.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.49

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 आत्मान् मन्यमान: कृतकृत्यमिवात्मभू: ।

तदा मनून् ससर्जान्ते मनसा लोकभावनान् ॥ ४९ ॥

sa ātmānaṁ manyamānaḥ

kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmabhūḥ

tadā manūn sasarjānte

manasā loka-bhāvanān

Translation

One day Brahmā, the self-born, the first living creature, felt as if the object of his life had been accomplished. At that time he evolved from his mind the Manus, who promote the welfare activities of the universe.

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 Manus Promote Universal Welfare

  1. 1

    Brahmā is described as self-born and the first living creature.

  2. 2

    He felt as though the object of his life had been accomplished.

  3. 3

    At that time he created the Manus from his mind. Their work is to promote the welfare activities of the universe.

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. ātmānamhimself
  3. manyamānaḥconsidering
  4. kṛta-kṛtyamhad accomplished the object of life
  5. ivaas if
  6. ātmabhūḥborn from the Supreme
  7. tadāthen
  8. manūnthe Manus
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 concern for others’ welfare shape my sense of accomplishment?

Practice

Do one small helpful act today, reflecting on the Manus’ work of promoting welfare.

Live this todayThe Manus Promote Universal WelfareThis 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 3.20.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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