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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
3.5.333.5.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.34

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

अनिलोऽपि विकुर्वाणो नभसोरुबलान्वित: ।

ससर्ज रूपतन्मात्रं ज्योतिर्लोकस्य लोचनम् ॥ ३४ ॥

anilo ’pi vikurvāṇo

nabhasoru-balānvitaḥ

sasarja rūpa-tanmātraṁ

jyotir lokasya locanam

Translation

Thereafter the extremely powerful air, interacting with the sky, generated the form of sense perception, and the perception of form transformed into electricity, the light to see the world.

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.

Form Develops into Light

  1. 1

    The extremely powerful air interacts with the sky.

  2. 2

    This interaction generates the sense perception of form.

  3. 3

    The perception of form transforms into electricity, described here as the light by which the world is seen.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anilaḥair
  2. apialso
  3. vikurvāṇaḥbeing transformed
  4. nabhasāsky
  5. uru-bala-anvitaḥextremely powerful
  6. sasarjacreated
  7. rūpaform
  8. tat-mātramsense perception
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What sequence connects air and sky with the light that allows us to see?

Practice

Notice one visible form today and recall the verse’s description of light as enabling sight.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayForm Develops into LightThis 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 3.5.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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