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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
3.6.163.6.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.17

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

कर्णावस्य विनिर्भिन्नौ धिष्ण्यं स्वं विविशुर्दिश: ।

श्रोत्रेणांशेन शब्दस्य सिद्धिं येन प्रपद्यते ॥ १७ ॥

karṇāv asya vinirbhinnau

dhiṣṇyaṁ svaṁ viviśur diśaḥ

śrotreṇāṁśena śabdasya

siddhiṁ yena prapadyate

Translation

When the ears of the gigantic form became manifested, all the controlling deities of the directions entered into them with the hearing principles, by which all the living entities hear and take advantage of sound.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Opens the Way to Knowledge

  1. 1

    When the ears of the gigantic form manifested, the controlling deities of the directions entered with the hearing principles. Through them, living entities hear and benefit from sound.

  2. 2

    The ear is the body's most important instrument for receiving knowledge. Sound carries messages about distant and unknown things.

  3. 3

    The entire Vedic system of knowledge is received through hearing. Perfect knowledge received through the ear can make one's life perfect.

Key points from the purport
  • The ear is the most important instrument in the body of the living entity.
  • Sound is the most important medium for carrying the message of distant and unknown things.
  • The entire Vedic system of knowledge is received by aural reception only, and thus sound is the most important source of knowledge.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. karṇauthe ears
  2. asyaof the gigantic form
  3. vinirbhinnaubeing thus separated
  4. dhiṣṇyamthe controlling deity
  5. svamown
  6. viviśuḥentered
  7. diśaḥof the directions
  8. śrotreṇa aṁśenawith the hearing principles
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: “hearing”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Am I giving careful attention to sound that carries spiritual knowledge?

Practice

Read this verse aloud and listen attentively to every word.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Opens the Way to KnowledgeThis 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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