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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 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.243.5.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.25

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.5.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सा वा एतस्य संद्रष्टु: शक्ति: सदसदात्मिका ।

माया नाम महाभाग ययेदं निर्ममे विभु: ॥ २५ ॥

sā vā etasya saṁdraṣṭuḥ

śaktiḥ sad-asad-ātmikā

māyā nāma mahā-bhāga

yayedaṁ nirmame vibhuḥ

Translation

The Lord is the seer, and the external energy, which is seen, works as both cause and effect in the cosmic manifestation. O greatly fortunate Vidura, this external energy is known as māyā or illusion, and through her agency only is the entire material manifestation made possible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Nature Works Under the Lord

  1. 1

    The external energy, known as māyā, works as both cause and effect in the cosmic manifestation. Through her agency, the material world becomes manifest.

  2. 2

    Behind material nature’s activities is the Lord’s supreme consciousness. It is the source of her energies, just as consciousness is the source of the body’s energies.

  3. 3

    The Supreme Lord is the final superintendent of material nature. Because of His supervision, her activities appear planned and systematic.

Key points from the purport
  • The material nature, known as māyā, is both the material and efficient cause of the cosmos, but in the background the Lord is the consciousness for all activities.
  • As in the individual body the consciousness is the source of all energies of the body, so the supreme consciousness of the Lord is the source of all energies in material nature.
  • Due to this supreme cause only, the activities of material nature appear planned and systematic, and all thing regularly evolve.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.5.25 quotesBG 9.10

This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.10) as follows: “Throughout all the energies of material nature there is the hand of the Supreme Lord as the final superintendent.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya

Vidura meets Maitreya, who begins explaining the Lord’s activities and the unfolding of material creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthat external energy
  2. vāis either
  3. etasyaof the Lord
  4. saṁdraṣṭuḥof the perfect seer
  5. śaktiḥenergy
  6. sat-asat-ātmikāas both the cause and the effect
  7. māyā nāmacalled by the name māyā
  8. mahā-bhāgaO fortunate one
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “illusion”, “māyā”, “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I remember the Lord’s supervision when observing the regular activities of nature?

Practice

Observe one orderly process in nature today and recall the Supreme Lord as its final superintendent.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Nature Works Under the LordThis 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 3.5.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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