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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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.23-243.26.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.25

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

सहस्रशिरसं साक्षाद्यमनन्तं प्रचक्षते ।

सङ्कर्षणाख्यं पुरुषं भूतेन्द्रियमनोमयम् ॥ २५ ॥

sahasra-śirasaṁ sākṣād

yam anantaṁ pracakṣate

saṅkarṣaṇākhyaṁ puruṣaṁ

bhūtendriya-manomayam

Translation

The threefold ahaṅkāra, the source of the gross elements, the senses and the mind, is identical with them because it is their cause. It is known by the name of Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is directly Lord Ananta with a thousand heads.

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 Source of Mind and Senses

  1. 1

    Threefold ahaṅkāra is the source of the gross elements, the senses and the mind.

  2. 2

    It is described as identical with these because it is their cause. The verse connects these manifestations with their source.

  3. 3

    It is known by the name Saṅkarṣaṇa, who is directly Lord Ananta with a thousand heads.

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. sahasra-śirasamwith a thousand heads
  2. sākṣātdirectly
  3. yamwhom
  4. anantamAnanta
  5. pracakṣatethey all
  6. saṅkarṣaṇa-ākhyamSaṅkarṣaṇa by name
  7. puruṣamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. bhūtathe gross elements
  9. indriyathe senses
  10. manaḥ-mayamconsisting of the mind
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

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 this verse connect the mind, senses and gross elements with their cause?

Practice

Write down the three groups named in the verse—gross elements, senses and mind—and note their source as threefold ahaṅkāra.

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 todayThe Source of Mind and SensesThis 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 3.26.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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