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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
3.26.423.26.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.43

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

क्लेदनं पिण्डनं तृप्ति: प्राणनाप्यायनोन्दनम् ।

तापापनोदो भूयस्त्वमम्भसो वृत्तयस्त्विमा: ॥ ४३ ॥

kledanaṁ piṇḍanaṁ tṛptiḥ

prāṇanāpyāyanondanam

tāpāpanodo bhūyastvam

ambhaso vṛttayas tv imāḥ

Translation

The characteristics of water are exhibited by its moistening other substances, coagulating various mixtures, causing satisfaction, maintaining life, softening things, driving away heat, incessantly supplying itself to reservoirs of water, and refreshing by slaking thirst.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Water Sustains, Refreshes and Binds Substances

  1. 1

    Water maintains life, brings satisfaction and refreshes by slaking thirst. The purport cites the Vedic statement, “Life depends on water.”

  2. 2

    Water moistens, softens and binds substances together. Flour becomes dough with water, and earth mixed with water becomes mud.

  3. 3

    Water drives away heat and continually supplies reservoirs. The purport emphasizes its prominent role among the exchanging elements of material manifestation.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Vedas it is also stated, āpomayaḥ prāṇaḥ: “Life depends on water.”
  • If we build a house, water is actually the constituent in making the bricks.
  • Also, excessive heat can be reduced simply by pouring water on the heated field.

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. kledanammoistening
  2. piṇḍanamcoagulating
  3. tṛptiḥcausing satisfaction
  4. prāṇanamaintaining life
  5. āpyāyanarefreshing
  6. undanamsoftening
  7. tāpaheat
  8. apanodaḥdriving away
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “material”

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

Which of water’s sustaining functions do you most often take for granted?

Practice

When drinking water today, pause to notice how it refreshes you and relieves thirst.

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 todayWater Sustains, Refreshes and Binds SubstancesThis 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 3.26.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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