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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
3.26.583.26.60

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.59

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

नाड्योऽस्य निरभिद्यन्त ताभ्यो लोहितमाभृतम् ।

नद्यस्तत: समभवन्नुदरं निरभिद्यत ॥ ५९ ॥

nāḍyo ’sya nirabhidyanta

tābhyo lohitam ābhṛtam

nadyas tataḥ samabhavann

udaraṁ nirabhidyata

Translation

The veins of the universal body became manifested and thereafter the red corpuscles, or blood. In their wake came the rivers (the deities presiding over the veins), and then appeared an abdomen.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Veins and Rivers in the Universal Body

  1. 1

    The veins of the universal body appeared, followed by blood, the rivers, and then an abdomen.

  2. 2

    The purport compares blood veins to rivers. When veins appeared in the universal form, rivers also appeared on the various planets.

  3. 3

    The controlling deity of rivers also controls the nervous system. The purport describes bathing in a flowing river as a traditional Āyurvedic recommendation for nervous instability.

Key points from the purport
  • Blood veins are compared to rivers; when the veins were manifested in the universal form, the rivers in the various planets were also manifested.
  • The controlling deity of the rivers is also the controlling deity of the nervous system.
  • In Āyurvedic treatment, those who are suffering from the disease of nervous instability are recommended to take a bath by dipping into a flowing river.

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. nāḍyaḥthe veins
  2. asyaof the universal form
  3. nirabhidyantabecame manifested
  4. tābhyaḥfrom them
  5. lohitamblood
  6. ābhṛtamwas produced
  7. nadyaḥthe rivers
  8. tataḥfrom that
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

What does the comparison between veins and rivers help me notice about the universal form?

Practice

Write down the comparison between veins and rivers, and spend a moment reflecting on their place in the universal body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVeins and Rivers in the Universal BodyThis 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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