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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.363.5.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.37

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

भूतानां नभ आदीनां यद्यद्भव्यावरावरम् ।

तेषां परानुसंसर्गाद्यथासंख्यं गुणान् विदु: ॥ ३७ ॥

bhūtānāṁ nabha-ādīnāṁ

yad yad bhavyāvarāvaram

teṣāṁ parānusaṁsargād

yathā saṅkhyaṁ guṇān viduḥ

Translation

O gentle one, of all the physical elements, beginning from the sky down to the earth, all the inferior and superior qualities are due only to the final touch of the glance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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.

Every Element Depends on the Supreme

  1. 1

    This teaching applies to all physical elements, from sky down to earth.

  2. 2

    Their qualities include both inferior and superior qualities.

  3. 3

    All these qualities are due only to the final touch of the glance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. bhūtānāmof all the physical elements
  2. nabhaḥthe sky
  3. ādīnāmbeginning from
  4. yatas
  5. yatand as
  6. bhavyaO gentle one
  7. avarainferior
  8. varamsuperior
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 can noticing the qualities of physical elements remind me of their dependence on the Supreme?

Practice

Choose one physical element mentioned in the verse and spend a moment remembering that its qualities depend on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEvery Element Depends on the SupremeThis 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 3.5.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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