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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.433.26.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.44

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

रसमात्राद्विकुर्वाणादम्भसो दैवचोदितात् ।

गन्धमात्रमभूत्तस्मात्पृथ्वी घ्राणस्तु गन्धग: ॥ ४४ ॥

rasa-mātrād vikurvāṇād

ambhaso daiva-coditāt

gandha-mātram abhūt tasmāt

pṛthvī ghrāṇas tu gandhagaḥ

Translation

Due to the interaction of water with the taste perception, the subtle element odor evolves under superior arrangement. Thence the earth and the olfactory sense, by which we can variously experience the aroma of the earth, become manifest.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Odor and Earth Emerge Under Superior Arrangement

  1. 1

    Through the interaction of water and taste perception, the subtle element odor evolves.

  2. 2

    This development occurs under a superior arrangement. Earth then becomes manifest from odor.

  3. 3

    The olfactory sense also becomes manifest. Through it, we experience the varied aromas of the earth.

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. rasa-mātrātwhich evolves from the subtle element taste
  2. vikurvāṇātundergoing transformation
  3. ambhasaḥfrom water
  4. daiva-coditātby a superior arrangement
  5. gandha-mātramthe subtle element odor
  6. abhūtbecame manifest
  7. tasmātfrom that
  8. pṛthvīearth
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 the phrase “under superior arrangement” shape your understanding of these developments?

Practice

Recall the sequence described here: water and taste perception, then odor, earth and the sense of smell.

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 · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayOdor and Earth Emerge Under Superior ArrangementThis 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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