1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.223.26.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.26.23-24

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 3.26.10inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

महत्तत्त्वाद्विकुर्वाणाद्भगवद्वीर्यसम्भवात् ।

क्रियाशक्तिरहङ्कारस्त्रिविध: समपद्यत ॥ २३ ॥

वैकारिकस्तैजसश्च तामसश्च यतो भव: ।

मनसश्चेन्द्रियाणां च भूतानां महतामपि ॥ २४ ॥

mahat-tattvād vikurvāṇād

bhagavad-vīrya-sambhavāt

kriyā-śaktir ahaṅkāras

tri-vidhaḥ samapadyata

vaikārikas taijasaś ca

tāmasaś ca yato bhavaḥ

manasaś cendriyāṇāṁ ca

bhūtānāṁ mahatām api

Translation

The material ego springs up from the mahat-tattva, which evolved from the Lord’s own energy. The material ego is endowed predominantly with active power of three kinds: good, passionate and ignorant. It is from these three types of material ego that the mind, the senses of perception, the organs of action, and the gross elements evolve.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Carefully Guard Pure Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    False ego is identification of the body as the self. Misuse of the living entity's marginal independence allows forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Reaching pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not enough; one must also remain careful. The purport compares spiritual realization to handling a sharp razor, where inattention can cause harm.

  3. 3

    Material ego acts through goodness, passion and ignorance, and from it evolve the mind, senses, organs of action and gross elements. Deviation from pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness increases entanglement in material reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • Originally, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness exists, but because of misuse of marginal independence there is a chance of forgetting Kṛṣṇa.
  • Not only must one come to the stage of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but one must also be very careful.
  • As soon as one deviates from pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he increases his entanglement in material reaction.

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

Entanglement → Insight and liberation. Inquiry matures into instruction in devotion and spiritual nature.

Chapters 25–33 of Canto 3: Kapila instructs Devahūti. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature

Kapila explains material nature, consciousness, time, the elements, and the manifestation of the universal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mahat-tattvātfrom the mahat-tattva
  2. vikurvāṇātundergoing a change
  3. bhagavat-vīrya-sambhavātevolved from the Lord’s own energy
  4. kriyā-śaktiḥendowed with active power
  5. ahaṅkāraḥthe material ego
  6. tri-vidhaḥof the three kinds
  7. samapadyatasprang up
  8. vaikārikaḥmaterial ego in transformed goodness
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “false ego”

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

Where does carelessness make it easier for me to forget Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Choose one moment when you usually become inattentive and deliberately pause to remember Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayCarefully Guard Pure Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 3.26.23-24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.