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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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.213.7.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.22

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यमाहुराद्यं पुरुषं सहस्राङ्‌घ्र्‌यूरुबाहुकम् ।

यत्र विश्व इमे लोका: सविकाशं त आसते ॥ २२ ॥

yam āhur ādyaṁ puruṣaṁ

sahasrāṅghry-ūru-bāhukam

yatra viśva ime lokāḥ

sa-vikāśaṁ ta āsate

Translation

The puruṣa incarnation lying on the Causal Ocean is called the original puruṣa in the material creations, and in His virāṭ form, in whom all the planets and their inhabitants live, He has many thousands of legs and hands.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Three Puruṣa Incarnations

  1. 1

    The original puruṣa in the material creations lies on the Causal Ocean. The first puruṣa is Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

  2. 2

    The second puruṣa is Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the third is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    In Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu the virāṭ-puruṣa is contemplated. This gigantic form has many thousands of legs and hands, and within it all the planets and their inhabitants float.

Key points from the purport
  • The first puruṣa is Kāraṇodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, the second puruṣa is Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, and the third puruṣa is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, in whom is contemplated the virāṭ-puruṣa, the gigantic form in which all the planets with their different developments and inhabitants are floating.

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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura

Vidura asks about illusion, the soul, creation, religious duties, and the relationship between teacher and disciple.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yamwho
  2. āhuḥis called
  3. ādyamoriginal
  4. puruṣamincarnation for cosmic manifestation
  5. sahasrathousand
  6. aṅghrilegs
  7. ūruthighs
  8. bāhukamhands
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to me about all the planets and their inhabitants existing within the gigantic form?

Practice

Write the names of the three puruṣa incarnations in their stated order.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Three Puruṣa IncarnationsThis 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 3.7.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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