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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
3.6.113.6.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.12

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.6.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्याग्निरास्यं निर्भिन्नं लोकपालोऽविशत्पदम् ।

वाचा स्वांशेन वक्तव्यं ययासौ प्रतिपद्यते ॥ १२ ॥

tasyāgnir āsyaṁ nirbhinnaṁ

loka-pālo ’viśat padam

vācā svāṁśena vaktavyaṁ

yayāsau pratipadyate

Translation

Agni, or heat, separated from His mouth, and all the directors of material affairs entered into it in their respective positions. By that energy the living entity expresses himself in words.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Speaking Power Comes From the Lord

  1. 1

    The mouth of the Lord's gigantic universal form is the source of speaking power. Through this energy, the living entity expresses himself in words.

  2. 2

    The director of the fire element is the controlling deity, called ādhidaiva.

  3. 3

    Speech as a bodily function is called ādhyātma. Its subject matter, material productions, belongs to the ādhibhūta principle.

Key points from the purport
  • The mouth of the gigantic universal form of the Lord is the source of the speaking power.
  • The director of the fire element is the controlling deity, or the ādhidaiva.
  • The speeches delivered are ādhyātma, or bodily functions, and the subject matter of the speeches is material productions, or the ādhibhūta principle.

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. tasyaHis
  2. agniḥfire
  3. āsyammouth
  4. nirbhinnamthus separated
  5. loka-pālaḥthe directors of material affairs
  6. aviśatentered
  7. padamrespective positions
  8. vācāby words
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “material”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “separated”

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 remembering the source of speaking power change my attitude toward my words?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause to remember that speaking power comes from the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpeaking Power Comes From 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 3.6.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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