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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
3.6.93.6.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.10

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

स्मरन् विश्वसृजामीशो विज्ञापितमधोक्षज: ।

विराजमतपत्स्वेन तेजसैषां विवृत्तये ॥ १० ॥

smaran viśva-sṛjām īśo

vijñāpitam adhokṣajaḥ

virājam atapat svena

tejasaiṣāṁ vivṛttaye

Translation

The Supreme Lord is the Supersoul of all the demigods entrusted with the task of constructing the cosmic manifestation. Being thus prayed to [by the demigods], He thought to Himself and thus manifested the gigantic form for their understanding.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Reveals Himself Through Loving Service

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is the Supersoul of the demigods. In response to their prayers, He manifested His gigantic universal form for their understanding.

  2. 2

    The wonders of the universe point to the Supreme Soul as their cause. Yet the Lord's infinite nature cannot be measured by limited words, minds or senses.

  3. 3

    Mental speculation cannot reveal the Lord's transcendental name or form. He reveals Himself to one who is submissive and engages in His transcendental loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • The impersonalists are captivated by the gigantic universal form of the Supreme.
  • One cannot perceive the transcendental name or form of the Lord by mental speculation.
  • The demigods controlling the elements and ingredients of universal affairs prayed to the Lord for guidance, and thus He manifested His gigantic form, as He did at the request of Arjuna.

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 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. smaranremembering
  2. viśva-sṛjāmof the demigods entrusted with the task of cosmic construction
  3. īśaḥthe Supreme Lord
  4. vijñāpitamas He was prayed for
  5. adhokṣajaḥthe Transcendence
  6. virājamthe gigantic universal form
  7. atapatconsidered thus
  8. svenaby His own
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “understanding”

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 can I approach the Lord with a desire to serve rather than a desire to measure Him?

Practice

Offer a brief, humble prayer asking the Lord for guidance in loving service.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Reveals Himself Through Loving ServiceThis 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 3.6.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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