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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
3.5.83.5.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.9

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

येन प्रजानामुत आत्मकर्म-

रूपाभिधानां य भिदां व्यधत्त ।

नारायणो विश्वसृगात्मयोनि-

रेतच्च नो वर्णय विप्रवर्य ॥ ९ ॥

yena prajānām uta ātma-karma-

rūpābhidhānāṁ ca bhidāṁ vyadhatta

nārāyaṇo viśvasṛg ātma-yonir

etac ca no varṇaya vipra-varya

Translation

O chief amongst the brāhmaṇas, please also describe how Nārāyaṇa, the creator of the universe and the self-sufficient Lord, has differently created the natures, activities, forms, features and names of the different living creatures.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding Variety in the Lord’s Creation

  1. 1

    Nārāyaṇa is the self-sufficient creator of the universe, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vidura asks how He has created the differences among living creatures.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that natural inclinations and work follow the three modes of material nature. Bodily forms and features correspond to work, and names follow bodily features.

  3. 3

    Pious and impious activities lead to different circumstances of birth and life. Vidura asks Maitreya to explain these differences in Nārāyaṇa’s creation.

Key points from the purport
  • Every living being is under the plan of his natural inclinations in terms of the modes of material nature.
  • His work is manifested in terms of the nature of the three modes, his form and bodily features are designed according to his work, and his name is designated according to his bodily features.
  • Vidura requested Maitreya to explain these differences between all the living creatures made by Nārāyaṇa, 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. yenaby which
  2. prajānāmof those who are born
  3. utaas also
  4. ātma-karmadestined engagement
  5. rūpaform and feature
  6. abhidhānāmendeavors
  7. caalso
  8. bhidāmdifferentiation
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this teaching encourage me to consider the consequences of my actions?

Practice

Pause before one action today and consider the inclination behind it and its possible consequences.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding Variety in the Lord’s CreationThis 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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