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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
3.5.53.5.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.6

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यथा पुन: स्वे ख इदं निवेश्य

शेते गुहायां स निवृत्तवृत्ति: ।

योगेश्वराधीश्वर एक एत-

दनुप्रविष्टो बहुधा यथासीत् ॥ ६ ॥

yathā punaḥ sve kha idaṁ niveśya

śete guhāyāṁ sa nivṛtta-vṛttiḥ

yogeśvarādhīśvara eka etad

anupraviṣṭo bahudhā yathāsīt

Translation

He lies down on His own heart spread in the form of the sky, and thus placing the whole creation in that space, He expands Himself into many living entities, which are manifested as different species of life. He does not have to endeavor for His maintenance, because He is the master of all mystic powers and the proprietor of everything. Thus He is distinct from the living entities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation Rests Within the Lord

  1. 1

    Descriptions of creation differ in small details because they concern different kalpas, or millenniums. The creative principles and the Lord's control remain the same.

  2. 2

    The gigantic sky is described as the Lord's material body, the virāṭ-rūpa. All material creations rest within it, described here as His heart.

  3. 3

    Living entities are the Lord's superior energy, while matter is His inferior energy; their combination manifests the material world. The Lord remains distinct from living entities and needs no endeavor for His own maintenance.

Key points from the purport
  • The questions regarding creation, maintenance and destruction, which are mentioned in many parts of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, are in relation to different millenniums (kalpas), and therefore they are differently described by different authorities when questioned by different students.
  • Therefore, beginning from the sky, the first material manifestation to the gross vision, down to the earth, everything is called Brahman.
  • The living entities are the superior energies, whereas matter is the inferior energy, and the combination of these energies brings about the manifestation of this material world, which is in the heart of the Lord.

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. yathāas much as
  2. punaḥagain
  3. svein His
  4. kheform of space ( virāṭ-rūpa)
  5. idamthis
  6. niveśyaentering into
  7. śetelies down
  8. guhāyāmwithin the universe
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “principles”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing both life and matter as the Lord's energies change my sense of independence?

Practice

Look at the sky for a moment and reflect on the teaching that all material creation rests within the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Rests Within the 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.5.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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