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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
3.26.503.26.52

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.51

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

ततस्तेनानुविद्धेभ्यो युक्तेभ्योऽण्डमचेतनम् ।

उत्थितं पुरुषो यस्मादुदतिष्ठदसौ विराट् ॥ ५१ ॥

tatas tenānuviddhebhyo

yuktebhyo ’ṇḍam acetanam

utthitaṁ puruṣo yasmād

udatiṣṭhad asau virāṭ

Translation

From these seven principles, roused into activity and united by the presence of the Lord, an unintelligent egg arose, from which appeared the celebrated Cosmic Being.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Activates Material Creation

  1. 1

    The Lord's presence roused the seven principles into activity and united them. An unintelligent egg arose, from which the Cosmic Being appeared.

  2. 2

    Material ingredients alone do not develop into an organized form without living energy. Clay, water and fire become a brick only when someone works to combine them.

  3. 3

    Similarly, the material world does not develop unless agitated by the Supreme Lord as the virāṭ-puruṣa. By His agitation, space and the universal form manifested.

Key points from the purport
  • The same principle exists in the universal creation: the ingredients are present, but only when the Lord enters into the material elements is matter actually agitated.
  • Similarly, this material world does not develop unless agitated by the Supreme Lord as the virāṭ-puruṣa.
  • Yasmād udatiṣṭhad asau virāṭ: by His agitation, space was created, and the universal form of the Lord also manifested therein.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. tenaby the Lord
  3. anuviddhebhyaḥfrom these seven principles, roused into activity
  4. yuktebhyaḥunited
  5. aṇḍaman egg
  6. acetanamunintelligent
  7. utthitamarose
  8. puruṣaḥCosmic Being
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “principles”

  • 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

What does the example of making a brick teach me about material ingredients and living energy?

Practice

Look at a brick today, or recall one, and reflect on the work needed to combine its ingredients.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Activates Material CreationThis 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 3.26.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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