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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
3.26.373.26.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.38

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

वायोश्च स्पर्शतन्मात्राद्रूपं दैवेरितादभूत् ।

समुत्थितं ततस्तेजश्चक्षू रूपोपलम्भनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

vāyoś ca sparśa-tanmātrād

rūpaṁ daiveritād abhūt

samutthitaṁ tatas tejaś

cakṣū rūpopalambhanam

Translation

By interactions of the air and the sensations of touch, one receives different forms according to destiny. By evolution of such forms, there is fire, and the eye sees different forms in color.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bodily Forms Develop According to Destiny

  1. 1

    A living entity receives a body according to previous activities. The purport connects this with touch, the interactions of air and the situation of the mind.

  2. 2

    The living entity transmigrates from one form to another. These changes occur according to destiny under the arrangement of a superior authority.

  3. 3

    Form combines different types of sense perception. The translation describes the evolution of fire and the eye’s perception of forms in color.

Key points from the purport
  • Because of destiny, the touch sensation, the interactions of air, and the situation of the mind, which is produced of the ethereal element, one receives a body according to his previous activities.
  • His form changes according to destiny and by the arrangement of a superior authority which controls the interaction of air and the mental situation.
  • Predestined activities are the plans of the mental situation and the interaction of air.

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. vāyoḥfrom air
  2. caand
  3. sparśa-tanmātrātwhich evolves from the subtle element touch
  4. rūpamform
  5. daiva-īritātaccording to destiny
  6. abhūtevolved
  7. samutthitamarose
  8. tataḥfrom that
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 account of changing bodies affect the way you view your present form?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on the teaching that the living entity passes from one bodily form to another.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBodily Forms Develop According to DestinyThis 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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