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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
3.5.283.5.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.29

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

महत्तत्त्वाद्विकुर्वाणादहंतत्त्वं व्यजायत ।

कार्यकारणकर्त्रात्मा भूतेन्द्रियमनोमय: ।

वैकारिकस्तैजसश्च तामसश्चेत्यहं त्रिधा ॥ २९ ॥

mahat-tattvād vikurvāṇād

ahaṁ-tattvaṁ vyajāyata

kārya-kāraṇa-kartrātmā

bhūtendriya-mano-mayaḥ

vaikārikas taijasaś ca

tāmasaś cety ahaṁ tridhā

Translation

Mahat-tattva, or the great causal truth, transforms into false ego, which is manifested in three phases — cause, effect and the doer. All such activities are on the mental plane and are based on the material elements, gross senses and mental speculation. The false ego is represented in three different modes — goodness, passion and ignorance.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our True Position Is Loving Service

  1. 1

    In pure consciousness, the living entity knows himself as an eternal servitor of the Lord. Eternally liberated souls live in bliss and knowledge and have nothing to do with material creation.

  2. 2

    False ego is the spirit of false lordship, or unwillingness to accept subordination to the Supreme Lord. It appears in goodness, passion and ignorance through ideas of being God, ruling material nature or identifying with the body.

  3. 3

    The Lord kindly offers help through Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Through these scriptures, we can understand the science of Kṛṣṇa and make life successful in loving service to the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The material creation is meant for rebellious souls who are not prepared to accept subordination under the Supreme Lord.
  • It is manifested in three modes of material nature, and it exists in mental speculation only.
  • The entire material creation, therefore, is meant for the falsely egoistic living entities hovering on the mental plane under different illusions in the modes of material nature.

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

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. mahatthe great
  2. tattvātfrom the causal truth
  3. vikurvāṇātbeing transformed
  4. ahamfalse ego
  5. tattvammaterial truth
  6. vyajāyatabecame manifested
  7. kāryaeffects
  8. kāraṇacause
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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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I notice a wish to be the lord rather than a servant of the Lord?

Practice

Read a short passage from Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today with the intention of understanding your position as the Lord’s servant.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur True Position Is Loving ServiceThis 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 3.5.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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