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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 6: Creation of the Universal Form
3.6.203.6.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.21

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

हस्तावस्य विनिर्भिन्नाविन्द्र: स्वर्पतिराविशत् ।

वार्तयांशेन पुरुषो यया वृत्तिं प्रपद्यते ॥ २१ ॥

hastāv asya vinirbhinnāv

indraḥ svar-patir āviśat

vārtayāṁśena puruṣo

yayā vṛttiṁ prapadyate

Translation

Thereafter, when the hands of the gigantic form separately became manifested, Indra, the ruler of the heavenly planets, entered into them, and thus the living entity is able to transact business for his livelihood.

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.

Hands Enable Work for Livelihood

  1. 1

    The hands of the gigantic form became separately manifested.

  2. 2

    Indra, the ruler of the heavenly planets, entered into them.

  3. 3

    Through this arrangement, the living entity is able to transact business for his livelihood.

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. hastauhands
  2. asyaof the gigantic form
  3. vinirbhinnaubeing separately manifested
  4. indraḥthe King of heaven
  5. svaḥ-patiḥthe ruler of heavenly planets
  6. āviśatentered into it
  7. vārtayā aṁśenawith partial mercantile principles
  8. puruṣaḥthe living entity
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “ruler”

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 do my hands help me carry out the work of maintaining my life?

Practice

During one task today, pause to notice how your hands enable you to do your work.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHands Enable Work for LivelihoodThis 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 3.6.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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