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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
3.26.683.26.70

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.69

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

बुद्ध्या ब्रह्मापि हृदयं नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् ।

रुद्रोऽभिमत्या हृदयं नोदतिष्ठत्तदा विराट् ॥ ६९ ॥

buddhyā brahmāpi hṛdayaṁ

nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ

rudro ’bhimatyā hṛdayaṁ

nodatiṣṭhat tadā virāṭ

Translation

Brahmā also entered His heart with intelligence, but even then the Cosmic Being could not be prevailed upon to get up. Lord Rudra also entered His heart with the ego, but even then the Cosmic Being did not stir.

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.

Intelligence and Ego Are Not Sufficient

  1. 1

    Brahmā entered the Cosmic Being’s heart with intelligence. Even then, the Cosmic Being did not get up.

  2. 2

    Lord Rudra entered His heart with the ego. Still, the Cosmic Being did not stir.

  3. 3

    Neither intelligence nor ego could make the Cosmic Being arise.

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. buddhyāwith intelligence
  2. brahmāLord Brahmā
  3. apialso
  4. hṛdayamHis heart
  5. nanot
  6. udatiṣṭhatdid arise
  7. tadāeven then
  8. virāṭthe virāṭ-puruṣa
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 can I learn from the inability of intelligence and ego to make the Cosmic Being stir?

Practice

Pause for a minute over the words “did not stir,” reflecting on the limits of intelligence and ego shown here.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayIntelligence and Ego Are Not SufficientThis 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 3.26.69? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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