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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
3.6.63.6.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.6.7

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.6.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स वै विश्वसृजां गर्भो देवकर्मात्मशक्तिमान् ।

विबभाजात्मनात्मानमेकधा दशधा त्रिधा ॥ ७ ॥

sa vai viśva-sṛjāṁ garbho

deva-karmātma-śaktimān

vibabhājātmanātmānam

ekadhā daśadhā tridhā

Translation

The total energy of the mahat-tattva, in the form of the gigantic virāṭ-rūpa, divided Himself by Himself into the consciousness of the living entities, the life of activity, and self-identification, which are subdivided into one, ten and three respectively.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purify Consciousness Through Agreement with the Lord

  1. 1

    Consciousness is the sign of the soul and is called jñāna-śakti. Its activities are carried out through ten divisions of the air of life.

  2. 2

    Material influence pollutes consciousness through false identification with the body. Conscious activity should not be stopped, but purified by bringing it into agreement with the Supreme.

  3. 3

    Devotees understand oneness of consciousness as agreement between the individual and the Lord. Identifying oneself as the Lord’s servant begins purity of consciousness in following His desire.

Key points from the purport
  • Consciousness is the sign of the living entity, or the soul.
  • The individual consciousness (Arjuna) is advised to dovetail with the supreme consciousness and thus maintain his conscious purity.
  • Of the three, ādhidaivika self-identification is the beginning of purity of consciousness in pursuance of the desire of the Lord.

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· 2

The purport of SB 3.6.7 quotesBG 2.41

These various activities are described in Bhagavad-gītā (2.41) as bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca buddhayo ’vyavasāyinām.

The purport of SB 3.6.7 quotesBG 18.66

The individual consciousness is advised to dovetail with the supreme consciousness, as instructed by the Lord in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66): sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthat
  2. vaicertainly
  3. viśva-sṛjāmof the gigantic virāṭ form
  4. garbhaḥtotal energy
  5. devaliving energy
  6. karmaactivity of life
  7. ātmaself
  8. śaktimānfull with potencies
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.6

    In this verse: “material”

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

Where am I identifying mainly with my body or possessions rather than as the Lord’s servant?

Practice

Before one action today, pause and ask, “How can I act as the Lord’s servant?”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.6's connections

Live this todayPurify Consciousness Through Agreement with the LordThis 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 3.6.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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