1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.603.26.62

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.61

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

मनसश्चन्द्रमा जातो बुद्धिर्बुद्धेर्गिरां पति: ।

अहङ्कारस्ततो रुद्रश्चित्तं चैत्यस्ततोऽभवत् ॥ ६१ ॥

manasaś candramā jāto

buddhir buddher girāṁ patiḥ

ahaṅkāras tato rudraś

cittaṁ caityas tato ’bhavat

Translation

After the mind, the moon appeared. Intelligence appeared next, and after intelligence, Lord Brahmā appeared. Then the false ego appeared and then Lord Śiva, and after the appearance of Lord Śiva came consciousness and the deity presiding over consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purify Consciousness Through Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The moon presides over the mind, Lord Brahmā over intelligence, and Lord Śiva over false ego. The purport associates them respectively with goodness, passion, and ignorance.

  2. 2

    False ego means identifying the body with the self. Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa clears the consciousness, allowing one to understand one’s real identity and become free from false ego.

  3. 3

    As consciousness and intelligence become purified, the mind becomes engaged upon the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The goal is service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, rather than material advancement.

Key points from the purport
  • The moon appeared after the appearance of mind, and this indicates that the moon is the presiding deity of mind.
  • Similarly, Lord Brahmā, appearing after intelligence, is the presiding deity of intelligence, and Lord Śiva, who appears after false ego, is the presiding deity of false ego.
  • Materialists like Hiraṇyakaśipu and Rāvaṇa are worshipers of Lord Brahmā or Lord Śiva, but Prahlāda and other devotees in the service of Kṛṣṇa consciousness worship the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead.

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. manasaḥfrom the mind
  2. candramāḥthe moon
  3. jātaḥappeared
  4. buddhiḥintelligence
  5. buddheḥfrom intelligence
  6. girām patiḥthe lord of speech (Brahmā)
  7. ahaṅkāraḥfalse ego
  8. tataḥthen
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “purified”

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

When do I mistake my body for my whole identity, and how could chanting help redirect my attention?

Practice

Set aside one quiet minute today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa attentively, seeking purification of consciousness and service to the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.26's connections

Live this todayPurify Consciousness Through Chanting Hare KṛṣṇaThis 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 3.26.61? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories