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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 6: Creation of the Universal Form
3.6.153.6.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.16

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

निर्भिन्नान्यस्य चर्माणि लोकपालोऽनिलोऽविशत् ।

प्राणेनांशेन संस्पर्शं येनासौ प्रतिपद्यते ॥ १६ ॥

nirbhinnāny asya carmāṇi

loka-pālo ’nilo ’viśat

prāṇenāṁśena saṁsparśaṁ

yenāsau pratipadyate

Translation

When there was a manifestation of skin separated from the gigantic form, Anila, the deity directing the wind, entered with partial touch, and thus the living entities can realize tactile knowledge.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Touch Provides Knowledge Through the Skin

  1. 1

    Skin manifested separately from the gigantic form.

  2. 2

    Anila, the deity directing the wind, entered it with partial touch.

  3. 3

    Through this arrangement, living entities gain tactile knowledge—knowledge through touch.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nirbhinnānibeing separated
  2. asyaof the gigantic form
  3. carmāṇiskin
  4. loka-pālaḥthe director
  5. anilaḥair
  6. aviśatentered
  7. prāṇena aṁśenathe part of the breathing
  8. saṁsparśamtouch
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: “knowledge”

  • 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

What do I learn through touch that I usually overlook?

Practice

Gently touch a familiar surface and notice its texture, remembering the arrangement described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTouch Provides Knowledge Through the SkinThis 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 3.6.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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