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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 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni
3.24.83.24.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.24.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तत्कर्दमाश्रमपदं सरस्वत्या परिश्रितम् ।

स्वयम्भू: साकमृषिभिर्मरीच्यादिभिरभ्ययात् ॥ ९ ॥

tat kardamāśrama-padaṁ

sarasvatyā pariśritam

svayambhūḥ sākam ṛṣibhir

marīcy-ādibhir abhyayāt

Translation

Brahmā, the first-born living being, went along with Marīci and other sages to the place of Kardama’s hermitage, which was surrounded by the river Sarasvatī.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā’s Origin Is in the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Brahmā went with Marīci and other sages to Kardama’s hermitage, which was surrounded by the river Sarasvatī.

  2. 2

    Brahmā is called Svayambhū, or self-born, because he was not born of a material father and mother.

  3. 3

    He is the first living creature, born from the lotus growing from the abdomen of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā is called Svayambhū because he is not born of any material father and mother.
  • He is the first living creature and is born from the lotus which grows from the abdomen of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

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 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni

Kapila appears as Devahūti’s son, the daughters marry, and Kardama renounces family life with the Lord’s permission.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthat
  2. kardamaof Kardama
  3. āśrama-padamto the place of the hermitage
  4. sarasvatyāby the river Sarasvatī
  5. pariśritamsurrounded
  6. svayambhūḥBrahmā (the self-born)
  7. sākamalong with
  8. ṛṣibhiḥthe sages
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “material”

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 Brahmā’s origin help me understand his relationship with the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why Brahmā is called Svayambhū while still having his origin in the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā’s Origin Is in the Supreme 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 3.24.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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