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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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.263.7.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.27

Visarga· Brahmā's 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

तिर्यङ्‌मानुषदेवानां सरीसृपपतत्‍त्रिणाम् ।

वद न: सर्गसंव्यूहं गार्भस्वेदद्विजोद्‍‌भिदाम् ॥ २७ ॥

tiryaṅ-mānuṣa-devānāṁ

sarīsṛpa-patattriṇām

vada naḥ sarga-saṁvyūhaṁ

gārbha-sveda-dvijodbhidām

Translation

Also please describe the living beings under different classifications: subhumans, humans, those born of the embryo, those born of perspiration, those who are twice-born [birds], and the plants and vegetables. Kindly describe their generations and subdivisions also.

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.

Understand the Varieties of Living Beings

  1. 1

    The inquiry asks for descriptions of different classifications of living beings, including subhumans and humans.

  2. 2

    It includes those born of the embryo, those born of perspiration, twice-born birds, and plants and vegetables.

  3. 3

    The request extends to their generations and subdivisions, seeking a detailed account of life's varieties.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tiryaksubhuman
  2. mānuṣahuman beings
  3. devānāmof the superhuman beings, or demigods
  4. sarīsṛpareptiles
  5. patattriṇāmof the birds
  6. vadakindly describe
  7. naḥunto me
  8. sargageneration
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “inquiry”

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

Which category mentioned here would I like to understand more clearly?

Practice

List the classifications named in the translation and mark one you would like to study further.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand the Varieties of Living BeingsThis 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 3.7.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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