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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
3.5.423.5.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.43

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 3.5.39inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

विश्वस्य जन्मस्थितिसंयमार्थे

कृतावतारस्य पदाम्बुजं ते ।

व्रजेम सर्वे शरणं यदीश

स्मृतं प्रयच्छत्यभयं स्वपुंसाम् ॥ ४३ ॥

viśvasya janma-sthiti-saṁyamārthe

kṛtāvatārasya padāmbujaṁ te

vrajema sarve śaraṇaṁ yad īśa

smṛtaṁ prayacchaty abhayaṁ sva-puṁsām

Translation

O Lord, You assume incarnations for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation, and therefore we all take shelter of Your lotus feet because they always award remembrance and courage to Your devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Gives Remembrance and Courage

  1. 1

    Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara oversee creation, maintenance and dissolution. They govern the modes of passion, goodness and ignorance, respectively.

  2. 2

    All three are incarnations of Kṛṣṇa, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. Brahmā and Śiva themselves worship Lord Viṣṇu and are not counted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The demigods take shelter of the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet. His lotus feet award remembrance and courage to His devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • For the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestations there are three incarnations: Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara (Lord Śiva).
  • Persons in the mode of goodness worship Lord Viṣṇu, those in the mode of passion worship Lord Brahmā, and those in the mode of ignorance worship Lord Śiva.
  • Although they are incarnations of the Lord, Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva worship Lord Viṣṇu, and thus they are also counted amongst the demigods and not as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. viśvasyaof the cosmic universe
  2. janmacreation
  3. sthitimaintenance
  4. saṁyama-arthefor the dissolution also
  5. kṛtaaccepted or assumed
  6. avatārasyaof the incarnations
  7. pada-ambujamlotus feet
  8. teYour
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worship”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “govern”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can remembering the Supreme Lord help me face a difficulty with courage?

Practice

Before facing one difficult task today, pause and pray for shelter and remembrance at the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Gives Remembrance and CourageThis 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 3.5.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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