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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
3.26.573.26.59

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.58

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

हस्तौ च निरभिद्येतां बलं ताभ्यां तत: स्वराट् ।

पादौ च निरभिद्येतां गतिस्ताभ्यां ततो हरि: ॥ ५८ ॥

hastau ca nirabhidyetāṁ

balaṁ tābhyāṁ tataḥ svarāṭ

pādau ca nirabhidyetāṁ

gatis tābhyāṁ tato hariḥ

Translation

Thereafter the two hands of the universal form of the Lord became manifested, and with them the power of grasping and dropping things, and after that Lord Indra appeared. Next the legs became manifested, and with them the process of movement, and after that Lord Viṣṇu appeared.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Divine Presiding Over Hands and Movement

  1. 1

    The hands of the Lord’s universal form appeared with the power to grasp and drop things.

  2. 2

    Indra is the deity presiding over the hands.

  3. 3

    The legs appeared with the power of movement. Their presiding deity is Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The deity presiding over the hands is Indra, and the presiding deity of movement is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu.
  • Viṣṇu appeared on the appearance of the legs of the virāṭ-puruṣa.

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. hastauthe two hands
  2. caand
  3. nirabhidyetāmwere manifested
  4. balampower
  5. tābhyāmfrom them
  6. tataḥthereafter
  7. svarāṭLord Indra
  8. pādauthe two feet
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 remembering Viṣṇu as the presiding deity of movement change my view of this everyday ability?

Practice

During a short walk today, remember Viṣṇu as the Supreme Personality of Godhead who presides over movement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Divine Presiding Over Hands and MovementThis 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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