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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
3.6.273.6.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.28

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

आत्यन्तिकेन सत्त्वेन दिवं देवा: प्रपेदिरे ।

धरां रज:स्वभावेन पणयो ये च ताननु ॥ २८ ॥

ātyantikena sattvena

divaṁ devāḥ prapedire

dharāṁ rajaḥ-svabhāvena

paṇayo ye ca tān anu

Translation

The demigods, qualified by the superexcellent quality of the mode of goodness, are situated in the heavenly planets, whereas the human beings, because of their nature in the mode of passion, live on the earth in company with their subordinates.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Goodness and the Protection of Animals

  1. 1

    Those highly developed in goodness are promoted to the heavenly planets. Those overpowered by passion remain in the middle planetary systems, while those filled with ignorance descend to lower systems or the animal kingdom.

  2. 2

    Animals such as cows, horses and dogs live under human protection. Animals are meant to be protected by mankind.

  3. 3

    Unnecessary animal killing shows excessive development of passion and ignorance. Those who indulge in it cannot advance to goodness and are destined for lower statuses of life.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhagavad-gītā (14.14-15) it is said that those who are highly developed in the mode of goodness are promoted to the higher, heavenly planetary system, and those who are overpowered by the mode of passion are situated in the middle planetary systems — the earth and similar planets.
  • By development of the mode of goodness of material nature one can become situated in the heavenly planets.
  • Persons who indulge in unnecessary animal killing have excessively developed in the modes of passion and ignorance and have no hope of advancing to the mode of goodness; they are destined to be degraded to lower statuses of life.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.6.28 quotesBG 14.14

In Bhagavad-gītā (14.14-15) it is said that those who are highly developed in the mode of goodness are promoted to the higher, heavenly planetary system, and those who are overpowered by the mode of passion are situated in the middle planetary systems — the earth and similar planets.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. ātyantikenaexcessive
  2. sattvenaby the mode of goodness
  3. divamin the higher planets
  4. devāḥthe demigods
  5. prapedirehave been situated
  6. dharāmon the earth
  7. rajaḥthe mode of passion
  8. svabhāvenaby nature
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “kingdom”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “protection”

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 my choices today support the protection of animals?

Practice

Choose a meal today that does not require killing an animal.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGoodness and the Protection of AnimalsThis 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 3.6.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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