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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
3.5.293.5.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.30

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

अहंतत्त्वाद्विकुर्वाणान्मनो वैकारिकादभूत् ।

वैकारिकाश्च ये देवा अर्थाभिव्यञ्जनं यत: ॥ ३० ॥

ahaṁ-tattvād vikurvāṇān

mano vaikārikād abhūt

vaikārikāś ca ye devā

arthābhivyañjanaṁ yataḥ

Translation

The false ego is transformed into mind by interaction with the mode of goodness. All the demigods who control the phenomenal world are also products of the same principle, namely the interaction of false ego and the mode of goodness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mind Arises Through Material Goodness

  1. 1

    False ego transforms into mind through interaction with the mode of goodness.

  2. 2

    The demigods who control the phenomenal world arise from this same interaction of false ego and goodness.

  3. 3

    False ego interacting with the different modes of material nature is the source of all materials in the phenomenal world.

Key points from the purport
  • False ego interacting with the different modes of material nature is the source of all materials in the phenomenal world.

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. aham-tattvātfrom the principle of false ego
  2. vikurvāṇātby transformation
  3. manaḥthe mind
  4. vaikārikātby interaction with the mode of goodness
  5. abhūtgenerated
  6. vaikārikāḥby interaction with goodness
  7. caalso
  8. yeall these
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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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description help me understand the mind’s place within material nature?

Practice

Write one sentence summarizing how the mind arises from false ego interacting with goodness.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMind Arises Through Material GoodnessThis 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 3.5.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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