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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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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
3.26.363.26.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.37

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

चालनं व्यूहनं प्राप्तिर्नेतृत्वं द्रव्यशब्दयो: ।

सर्वेन्द्रियाणामात्मत्वं वायो: कर्माभिलक्षणम् ॥ ३७ ॥

cālanaṁ vyūhanaṁ prāptir

netṛtvaṁ dravya-śabdayoḥ

sarvendriyāṇām ātmatvaṁ

vāyoḥ karmābhilakṣaṇam

Translation

The action of the air is exhibited in movements, mixing, allowing approach to the objects of sound and other sense perceptions, and providing for the proper functioning of all other senses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Air Enables Movement and Sense Activity

  1. 1

    The action of air is seen when branches move and dry leaves collect together. Air also enables movement within the body.

  2. 2

    Air provides for the proper functioning of the senses. Hearing a call, approaching its source and detecting odors depend on its action.

  3. 3

    The purport connects our sense of proprietorship over action with the activity of air. Our ability to act depends on processes we do not independently control.

Key points from the purport
  • Similarly, it is only by the action of the air that a body moves, and when the air circulation is impeded, many diseases result.
  • Paralysis, nervous breakdowns, madness and many other diseases are actually due to an insufficient circulation of air.
  • If the air circulation is stifled, we cannot approach a place after hearing.

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. cālanammoving
  2. vyūhanammixing
  3. prāptiḥallowing approach
  4. netṛtvamcarrying
  5. dravya-śabdayoḥparticles of substances and sound
  6. sarva-indriyāṇāmof all the senses
  7. ātmatvamproviding for the proper functioning
  8. vāyoḥof air
  9. karmaby actions
  10. abhilakṣaṇamthe distinct characteristics
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 recognizing your dependence on air soften your sense of being the sole doer?

Practice

Observe moving leaves or branches today and recall the verse’s description of air’s activity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAir Enables Movement and Sense ActivityThis 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 3.26.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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