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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 6: Creation of the Universal Form
3.5.513.6.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.1

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.6.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ऋषिरुवाच

इति तासां स्वशक्तीनां सतीनामसमेत्य स: ।

प्रसुप्तलोकतन्त्राणां निशाम्य गतिमीश्वर: ॥ १ ॥

ṛṣir uvāca

iti tāsāṁ sva-śaktīnāṁ

satīnām asametya saḥ

prasupta-loka-tantrāṇāṁ

niśāmya gatim īśvaraḥ

Translation

The Ṛṣi Maitreya said: The Lord thus heard about the suspension of the progressive creative functions of the universe due to the noncombination of His potencies, such as the mahat-tattva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Creation Progresses by the Lord’s Will

  1. 1

    Nothing is lacking in the Lord’s creation. All His potencies are present, though they may remain dormant.

  2. 2

    Unless these potencies are combined by the Lord’s will, the work of creation cannot progress.

  3. 3

    The suspended work of creation can be revived only by the Lord’s direction.

Key points from the purport
  • There is nothing wanting in the creation of the Lord; all the potencies are there in a dormant state.
  • But unless they are combined by the will of the Lord, nothing can progress.
  • The suspended progressive work of creation can only be revived by the direction 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.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.87.17

Hearing the prayers of the assembled demigods of the elements, the Supreme Lord then showed His favor:

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 6: Creation of the Universal Form

The Lord enters the material elements, manifesting the universal form with its senses, deities, and social orders.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṛṣiḥ uvācathe Ṛṣi Maitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. tāsāmtheir
  4. sva-śaktīnāmown potency
  5. satīnāmso situated
  6. asametyawithout combination
  7. saḥHe (the Lord)
  8. prasuptasuspended
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “heard”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this teaching help me recognize my dependence on the Lord?

Practice

Before beginning one task today, pause and acknowledge your dependence on the Lord’s direction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Progresses by the Lord’s WillThis 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 3.6.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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