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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
3.26.523.26.54

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.53

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

हिरण्मयादण्डकोशादुत्थाय सलिलेशयात् ।

तमाविश्य महादेवो बहुधा निर्बिभेद खम् ॥ ५३ ॥

hiraṇmayād aṇḍa-kośād

utthāya salile śayāt

tam āviśya mahā-devo

bahudhā nirbibheda kham

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the virāṭ-puruṣa, situated Himself in that golden egg, which was lying on the water, and He divided it into many departments.

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.

The Lord Divides the Universal Egg

  1. 1

    The golden universal egg was lying on the water.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the virāṭ-puruṣa, situated Himself within that egg.

  3. 3

    He divided the egg into many departments.

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. hiraṇmayātgolden
  2. aṇḍa-kośātfrom the egg
  3. utthāyaarising
  4. salileon the water
  5. śayātlying
  6. tamin it
  7. āviśyahaving entered
  8. mahā-devaḥthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
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

Who is described as arranging the departments within the universal egg?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, noticing the Lord's presence and His action within the egg.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Divides the Universal EggThis 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 3.26.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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