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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.2

Who is speaking and story frame

मनुरुवाच

ब्रह्मासृजत्स्वमुखतो युष्मानात्मपरीप्सया ।

छन्दोमयस्तपोविद्यायोगयुक्तानलम्पटान् ॥ २ ॥

manur uvāca

brahmāsṛjat sva-mukhato

yuṣmān ātma-parīpsayā

chandomayas tapo-vidyā-

yoga-yuktān alampaṭān

Translation

Manu replied: To expand himself in Vedic knowledge, Lord Brahmā, the personified Veda, from his face created you, the brāhmaṇas, who are full of austerity, knowledge and mystic power and are averse to sense gratification.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Knowledge to Glorify the Lord

  1. 1

    The purpose of the Vedas is to spread transcendental knowledge of the Absolute Truth. All the Vedas are meant for understanding Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Brāhmaṇas are especially meant for austerity, learning and knowledge, and are averse to sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Spiritual activity means satisfying the Lord by glorifying Him. The brāhmaṇas are meant to spread Vedic knowledge and the Lord’s glories.

Key points from the purport
  • The brāhmaṇas were created from the mouth of the Supreme Person, and therefore they are meant to spread the knowledge of the Vedas in order to spread the glories of the Lord.
  • It is especially mentioned here (yoga-yuktān alampaṭān) that brāhmaṇas are full of mystic power and are completely averse to sense gratification.
  • Brāhmaṇas are especially meant for austerity, learning and knowledge and are averse to all kinds of sense gratification.

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 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti

Kardama marries Devahūti with plans for later renunciation, and Manu returns home absorbed in Vāsudeva.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.22
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. manuḥManu
  2. uvācasaid
  3. brahmāLord Brahmā
  4. asṛjatcreated
  5. sva-mukhataḥfrom his face
  6. yuṣmānyou ( brāhmaṇas)
  7. ātma-parīpsayāto protect himself by expanding
  8. chandaḥ-mayaḥthe form of the Vedas
  9. tapaḥ-vidyā-yoga-yuktānfull of austerity, knowledge and mystic power
  10. alampaṭānaverse to sense gratification
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “glorifying”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking knowledge mainly for myself, or to understand and glorify the Lord?

Practice

Read one teaching about Kṛṣṇa today and share what it reveals about His glories.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Knowledge to Glorify the LordThis 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 3.22.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.