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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.633.26.65

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.64

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

अक्षिणी चक्षुषादित्यो नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् ।

श्रोत्रेण कर्णौ च दिशो नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् ॥ ६४ ॥

akṣiṇī cakṣuṣādityo

nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ

śrotreṇa karṇau ca diśo

nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ

Translation

The sun-god entered the eyes of the virāṭ-puruṣa with the sense of sight, but still the virāṭ-puruṣa did not get up. Similarly, the predominating deities of the directions entered through His ears with the sense of hearing, but still He did not get up.

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.

Sight and Hearing Cannot Awaken Him

  1. 1

    The sun-god entered the eyes of the virāṭ-puruṣa with the sense of sight.

  2. 2

    The presiding deities of the directions entered His ears with the sense of hearing.

  3. 3

    Even after sight and hearing entered with their presiding deities, the virāṭ-puruṣa did not get up.

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. akṣiṇīHis two eyes
  2. cakṣuṣāwith the sense of sight
  3. ādityaḥthe sun-god
  4. nanot
  5. udatiṣṭhatdid arise
  6. tadāthen
  7. virāṭthe virāṭ-puruṣa
  8. śrotreṇawith the sense of hearing
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “hearing”

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 stands out to me about His remaining still after both sight and hearing entered?

Practice

Write down the two senses and their presiding deities, then note the shared result of their entry.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySight and Hearing Cannot Awaken HimThis 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 3.26.64? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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