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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 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama
3.21.243.21.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.25

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.21.24inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

प्रजापतिसुत: सम्राण्मनुर्विख्यातमङ्गल: ।

ब्रह्मावर्तं योऽधिवसन् शास्ति सप्तार्णवां महीम् ॥ २५ ॥

prajāpati-sutaḥ samrāṇ

manur vikhyāta-maṅgalaḥ

brahmāvartaṁ yo ’dhivasan

śāsti saptārṇavāṁ mahīm

Translation

The Emperor Svāyambhuva Manu, the son of Lord Brahmā, who is well known for his righteous acts, has his seat in Brahmāvarta and rules over the earth with its seven oceans.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Be Known for Good Qualities

  1. 1

    Svāyambhuva Manu, the son of Lord Brahmā, ruled the earth with its seven oceans from Brahmāvarta. He was celebrated for righteous acts.

  2. 2

    The purport gives different opinions about Brahmāvarta’s location. It also explains that places on earth can share names with places in higher planetary systems.

  3. 3

    Maṅgala describes excellence in religious performances, ruling power, cleanliness and other good qualities. Svāyambhuva Manu was celebrated for such qualities and opulences.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes it is stated that Brahmāvarta is a part of Kurukṣetra or that Kurukṣetra itself is situated in Brahmāvarta, because the demigods are recommended to perform spiritual ritualistic performances in Kurukṣetra.
  • There are many similar names on the surface of the earth, and it may be that in the Boar age Svāyambhuva Manu ruled this planet, as stated here.
  • Svāyambhuva Manu was celebrated for all good qualities and opulences.

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 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama

Kardama performs penance, receives the Lord’s blessings, and welcomes Manu, who travels with his wife and daughter.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prajāpati-sutaḥthe son of Lord Brahmā
  2. samrāṭthe Emperor
  3. manuḥSvāyambhuva Manu
  4. vikhyātawell known
  5. maṅgalaḥwhose righteous acts
  6. brahmāvartamBrahmāvarta
  7. yaḥhe who
  8. adhivasanliving in
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “emperor”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “religious”

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

Which good quality mentioned here could I cultivate more carefully?

Practice

Practice cleanliness today by tidying one area you use regularly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBe Known for Good QualitiesThis 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 3.21.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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