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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.35

Who is speaking and story frame

अनिलेनान्वितं ज्योतिर्विकुर्वत्परवीक्षितम् ।

आधत्ताम्भो रसमयं कालमायांशयोगत: ॥ ३५ ॥

anilenānvitaṁ jyotir

vikurvat paravīkṣitam

ādhattāmbho rasa-mayaṁ

kāla-māyāṁśa-yogataḥ

Translation

When electricity was surcharged in the air and was glanced over by the Supreme, at that time, by a mixture of eternal time and external energy, there occurred the creation of water and taste.

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.

Water and Taste Under the Supreme’s Glance

  1. 1

    Electricity is surcharged in the air and glanced over by the Supreme.

  2. 2

    Eternal time and external energy are also involved in this transformation.

  3. 3

    Through this combination, water and taste are created.

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. anilenaby the air
  2. anvitaminteracted
  3. jyotiḥelectricity
  4. vikurvatbeing transformed
  5. paravīkṣitambeing glanced over by the Supreme
  6. ādhattacreated
  7. ambhaḥ rasa-mayamwater with taste
  8. kālaof eternal time
  9. māyā-aṁśaand external energy
  10. yogataḥby a mixture
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

How does this verse connect the creation of water with the Supreme’s glance?

Practice

When drinking water today, recall that this verse places the creation of water and taste under the Supreme’s glance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWater and Taste Under the Supreme’s GlanceThis 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 3.5.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.