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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
3.6.303.6.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

बाहुभ्योऽवर्तत क्षत्रं क्षत्रियस्तदनुव्रत: ।

यो जातस्त्रायते वर्णान् पौरुष: कण्टकक्षतात् ॥ ३१ ॥

bāhubhyo ’vartata kṣatraṁ

kṣatriyas tad anuvrataḥ

yo jātas trāyate varṇān

pauruṣaḥ kaṇṭaka-kṣatāt

Translation

Thereafter the power of protection was generated from the arms of the gigantic virāṭ form, and in relation to such power the kṣatriyas also came into existence by following the kṣatriya principle of protecting society from the disturbance of thieves and miscreants.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Protection Includes People and Animals

  1. 1

    The power of protection arose from the arms of the Lord’s gigantic form. A kṣatriya is recognized by protecting society from thieves and miscreants, not simply by birth.

  2. 2

    Social divisions depend on actual qualities and duties. Birth is not the main qualification for belonging to a particular order.

  3. 3

    Kṣatriyas are meant to represent Lord Viṣṇu by protecting the prajās, all those born in the land and water. This protection includes both human beings and animals.

Key points from the purport
  • As the brāhmaṇas are recognized by their particular qualification of inclination towards the transcendental knowledge of Vedic wisdom, so also the kṣatriyas are recognized by the power to protect society from the disturbing elements of thieves and miscreants.
  • The word puruṣa is significant in this verse because the kṣatriyas are expected to represent the puruṣa Lord in giving protection to the prajās, or all those who are born in the land and water.
  • The problems of modern human society are due to the lack of qualified brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas and the overinfluence of the vaiśyas and śūdras by so-called general franchise.

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 3.6.31 quotesBG 18.41

In Bhagavad-gītā (18.41-44) the qualifications of the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras are specifically mentioned, and it is understood that all such qualifications are needed before one can be designated as belonging to a particular group.

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. bāhubhyaḥfrom the arms
  2. avartatagenerated
  3. kṣatramthe power of protection
  4. kṣatriyaḥin relation to the power of protection
  5. tatthat
  6. anuvrataḥfollowers
  7. yaḥone who
  8. jātaḥso becomes
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

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 I show greater concern for the safety of both people and animals?

Practice

Take one safe, practical step to protect a person or animal today, such as reporting a hazard.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Protection Includes People and 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 3.6.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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