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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
3.26.443.26.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.45

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

करम्भपूतिसौरभ्यशान्तोग्राम्‍लादिभि: पृथक् ।

द्रव्यावयववैषम्याद्गन्ध एको विभिद्यते ॥ ४५ ॥

karambha-pūti-saurabhya-

śāntogrāmlādibhiḥ pṛthak

dravyāvayava-vaiṣamyād

gandha eko vibhidyate

Translation

Odor, although one, becomes many — as mixed, offensive, fragrant, mild, strong, acidic and so on — according to the proportions of associated substances.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Earth’s Aroma Appears in Many Varieties

  1. 1

    Odor is originally one but becomes varied according to the proportions of associated substances. Its varieties include mixed, offensive, fragrant, mild, strong and acidic.

  2. 2

    The purport illustrates mixed smells with vegetables prepared using spices and asafetida. It also describes pleasant smells from camphor and menthol.

  3. 3

    The original aroma emanates from the earth. When mixed with different substances, it appears in different ways.

Key points from the purport
  • Mixed smell is sometimes perceived in foodstuffs prepared from various ingredients, such as vegetables mixed with different kinds of spices and asafetida.
  • Bad odors are perceived in filthy places, good smells are perceived from camphor, menthol and similar other products, pungent smells are perceived from garlic and onions, and acidic smells are perceived from turmeric and similar sour substances.
  • The original aroma is the odor emanating from the earth, and when it is mixed with different substances, this odor appears in different ways.

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. karambhamixed
  2. pūtioffensive
  3. saurabhyafragrant
  4. śāntamild
  5. ugrastrong, pungent
  6. amlaacid
  7. ādibhiḥand so on
  8. pṛthakseparately
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 teaching change the way you understand the variety of familiar smells?

Practice

Notice the aroma of a prepared food today and consider how its different ingredients contribute to the mixed 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. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayEarth’s Aroma Appears in Many VarietiesThis 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 3.26.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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