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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
3.26.403.26.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.41

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

रूपमात्राद्विकुर्वाणात्तेजसो दैवचोदितात् ।

रसमात्रमभूत्तस्मादम्भो जिह्वा रसग्रह: ॥ ४१ ॥

rūpa-mātrād vikurvāṇāt

tejaso daiva-coditāt

rasa-mātram abhūt tasmād

ambho jihvā rasa-grahaḥ

Translation

By the interaction of fire and the visual sensation, the subtle element taste evolves under a superior arrangement. From taste, water is produced, and the tongue, which perceives taste, is also manifested.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Taste, Water and the Tongue Are Connected

  1. 1

    Through the interaction of fire and visual sensation, the subtle element taste evolves. This takes place under a superior arrangement.

  2. 2

    From taste, water is produced, and the tongue is manifested. The tongue is the instrument for acquiring knowledge of taste.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that taste is a product of water. For this reason, saliva is always present on the tongue.

Key points from the purport
  • The tongue is described here as the instrument for acquiring knowledge of taste.
  • Because taste is a product of water, there is always saliva on the tongue.

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. rūpa-mātrātwhich evolves from the subtle element form
  2. vikurvāṇātundergoing transformation
  3. tejasaḥfrom fire
  4. daiva-coditātunder a superior arrangement
  5. rasa-mātramthe subtle element taste
  6. abhūtbecame manifested
  7. tasmātfrom that
  8. ambhaḥwater
  9. jihvāthe sense of taste
  10. rasa-grahaḥwhich perceives taste
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 help you notice the connection between taste and water?

Practice

During one bite of food today, notice the tongue’s role in perceiving taste and the presence of saliva.

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 todayTaste, Water and the Tongue Are ConnectedThis 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 3.26.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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