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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
3.26.563.26.58

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.57

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

रेतस्तस्मादाप आसन्निरभिद्यत वै गुदम् ।

गुदादपानोऽपानाच्च मृत्युर्लोकभयङ्कर: ॥ ५७ ॥

retas tasmād āpa āsan

nirabhidyata vai gudam

gudād apāno ’pānāc ca

mṛtyur loka-bhayaṅkaraḥ

Translation

After this, semen (the faculty of procreation) and the god who presides over the waters appeared. Next appeared an anus and then the organs of defecation and thereupon the god of death, who is feared throughout the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Restraint Rather Than Addiction to Enjoyment

  1. 1

    The faculty of procreation appeared along with the god presiding over the waters. The organs of defecation appeared, followed by the god of death, who is feared throughout the universe.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Prabhupāda describes restraint from discharging semen as a practice of yogīs and transcendentalists who seek a longer life.

  3. 3

    The purport connects addiction to sexual enjoyment with susceptibility to early death. Its emphasis is on voluntary restraint rather than increasing attachment to enjoyment.

Key points from the purport
  • It is understood herewith that the faculty to discharge semen is the cause of death.
  • Therefore, yogīs and transcendentalists who want to live for greater spans of life voluntarily restrain themselves from discharging semen.
  • The more one can restrain the discharge of semen, the more one can be aloof from the problem of death.

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. retaḥsemen
  2. tasmātfrom that
  3. āpaḥthe god who presides over the waters
  4. āsanappeared
  5. nirabhidyatawas manifested
  6. vaiindeed
  7. gudaman anus
  8. gudātfrom the anus
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “feared”, “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “attachment”

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

Where could I practice voluntary restraint rather than strengthen an attachment to enjoyment?

Practice

Today, step away from one source of stimulation that encourages attachment to sexual enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRestraint Rather Than Addiction to EnjoymentThis 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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