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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
3.26.483.26.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.49

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

परस्य द‍ृश्यते धर्मो ह्यपरस्मिन्समन्वयात् ।

अतो विशेषो भावानां भूमावेवोपलक्ष्यते ॥ ४९ ॥

parasya dṛśyate dharmo

hy aparasmin samanvayāt

ato viśeṣo bhāvānāṁ

bhūmāv evopalakṣyate

Translation

Since the cause exists in its effect as well, the characteristics of the former are observed in the latter. That is why the peculiarities of all the elements exist in the earth alone.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Earth Contains All Five Qualities

  1. 1

    The cause exists in its effect, so the characteristics of the cause are also observed in the effect.

  2. 2

    Sky has sound; air has sound and touch; fire adds form; and water adds taste.

  3. 3

    Earth has sound, touch, form, taste and smell. It is the reservoir of all the qualities of the other elements.

Key points from the purport
  • Sound is the cause of the sky, sky is the cause of the air, air is the cause of fire, fire is the cause of water, and water is the cause of earth.
  • Therefore earth is the reservoir of all the qualities of the other elements.

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. parasyaof the cause
  2. dṛśyateis observed
  3. dharmaḥthe characteristics
  4. hiindeed
  5. aparasminin the effect
  6. samanvayātin order
  7. ataḥhence
  8. viśeṣaḥthe distinctive characteristic
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 principle of cause remaining in its effect explain earth's five qualities?

Practice

List sky, air, fire, water and earth, adding the qualities each contains.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEarth Contains All Five 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 3.26.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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