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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
3.26.383.26.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.39

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

द्रव्याकृतित्वं गुणता व्यक्तिसंस्थात्वमेव च ।

तेजस्त्वं तेजस: साध्वि रूपमात्रस्य वृत्तय: ॥ ३९ ॥

dravyākṛtitvaṁ guṇatā

vyakti-saṁsthātvam eva ca

tejastvaṁ tejasaḥ sādhvi

rūpa-mātrasya vṛttayaḥ

Translation

My dear mother, the characteristics of form are understood by dimension, quality and individuality. The form of fire is appreciated by its effulgence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognizing Form Through Its Distinctive Qualities

  1. 1

    Every form has particular dimensions and characteristics. Dimension, quality and individuality help us understand form.

  2. 2

    An object’s quality is appreciated by its utility. Invisible forms can be understood by touch, while visible forms can be studied through their constitution.

  3. 3

    Salt is appreciated through salty taste, and sugar through sweet taste. Fire’s form is appreciated by its effulgence.

Key points from the purport
  • Every form that we appreciate has its particular dimensions and characteristics.
  • The quality of a particular object is appreciated by its utility.
  • Tastes and qualitative constitution are the basic principles in understanding the form of an object.

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. dravyaof an object
  2. ākṛtitvamdimension
  3. guṇatāquality
  4. vyakti-saṁsthātvamindividuality
  5. evaalso
  6. caand
  7. tejastvameffulgence
  8. tejasaḥof fire
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 much of your understanding of an object comes from qualities other than its appearance?

Practice

Choose one everyday object and note its dimensions, distinctive qualities and usefulness.

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 todayRecognizing Form Through Its Distinctive QualitiesThis 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 3.26.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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