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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
3.5.373.5.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.38

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

एते देवा: कला विष्णो: कालमायांशलिङ्गिन: ।

नानात्वात्स्वक्रियानीशा: प्रोचु: प्राञ्जलयो विभुम् ॥ ३८ ॥

ete devāḥ kalā viṣṇoḥ

kāla-māyāṁśa-liṅginaḥ

nānātvāt sva-kriyānīśāḥ

procuḥ prāñjalayo vibhum

Translation

The controlling deities of all the above-mentioned physical elements are empowered expansions of Lord Viṣṇu. They are embodied by eternal time under the external energy, and they are His parts and parcels. Because they were entrusted with different functions of universal duties and were unable to perform them, they offered fascinating prayers to the Lord as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect the Demigods, Worship the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The controlling demigods are empowered parts and parcels of Lord Viṣṇu. They are great devotees entrusted with duties in universal affairs.

  2. 2

    A devotee respects the demigods because they are the Lord’s appointed servants, but does not place them on the same level as Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    Devotees worship the Supreme Lord for unalloyed devotion, not material benefit. Attaining love of God is the essential aim of human life.

Key points from the purport
  • The demigods are expanded parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu, and they are embodied by time, external energy and partial consciousness of the Supreme.
  • Human beings, animals, birds, etc., are also parts and parcels of the Lord and have different material bodies, but they are not the controlling deities of material affairs.
  • Since all the demigods are confidential devotee-servitors of the Lord, they are never to be condemned.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 3.5.38 quotesBG 16.19

The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (16.19): “The envious, the mischievous, the lowest of mankind — these do I ever put back into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.87.17

This is described in the Third Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.5.38-39):

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. eteof all these physical elements
  2. devāḥthe controlling demigods
  3. kalāḥparts and parcels
  4. viṣṇoḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. kālatime
  6. māyāexternal energy
  7. aṁśapart and parcel
  8. liṅginaḥso embodied
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”, “worship”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “duties”

  • 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

Am I seeking material benefits from the Lord, or a loving relationship with Him?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking the Supreme Lord for pure devotion rather than material gain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect the Demigods, Worship the Supreme LordThis 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.

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