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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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.343.26.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.35

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

नभस: शब्दतन्मात्रात्कालगत्या विकुर्वत: ।

स्पर्शोऽभवत्ततो वायुस्त्वक्स्पर्शस्य च संग्रह: ॥ ३५ ॥

nabhasaḥ śabda-tanmātrāt

kāla-gatyā vikurvataḥ

sparśo ’bhavat tato vāyus

tvak sparśasya ca saṅgrahaḥ

Translation

From ethereal existence, which evolves from sound, the next transformation takes place under the impulse of time, and thus the subtle element touch and thence the air and sense of touch become prominent.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Touch Develops Through Transformation in Time

  1. 1

    Ether, which evolves from sound, undergoes further transformation under the impulse of time. From this comes the subtle element touch.

  2. 2

    Air and the sense of touch then become prominent. As subtle forms become gross, they become objects that can be touched.

  3. 3

    The objects of perception develop gradually. The purport gives the sequence of sound, then touch, then sight.

Key points from the purport
  • In the course of time, when the subtle forms are transformed into gross forms, they become the objects of touch.
  • The objects of touch and the tactile sense also develop after this evolution in time.
  • Sound is the first sense object to exhibit material existence, and from the perception of sound, touch perception evolves, and from touch perception, the perception of sight.

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. nabhasaḥfrom ether
  2. śabda-tanmātrātwhich evolves from the subtle element sound
  3. kāla-gatyāunder the impulse of time
  4. vikurvataḥundergoing transformation
  5. sparśaḥthe subtle element touch
  6. abhavatevolved
  7. tataḥthence
  8. vāyuḥair
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 gradual development help me understand the relationship between subtle and gross forms?

Practice

Write the sequence sound, touch and sight, and review how the purport describes their gradual development.

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 todayTouch Develops Through Transformation in TimeThis 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.

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