1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.93.8.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.10

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.8.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

उदाप्लुतं विश्वमिदं तदासीद्

यन्निद्रयामीलितद‍ृङ् न्यमीलयत् ।

अहीन्द्रतल्पेऽधिशयान एक:

कृतक्षण: स्वात्मरतौ निरीह: ॥ १० ॥

udāplutaṁ viśvam idaṁ tadāsīd

yan nidrayāmīlita-dṛṅ nyamīlayat

ahīndra-talpe ’dhiśayāna ekaḥ

kṛta-kṣaṇaḥ svātma-ratau nirīhaḥ

Translation

At that time when the three worlds were submerged in water, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu was alone, lying on His bedstead, the great snake Ananta, and although He appeared to be in slumber in His own internal potency, free from the action of the external energy, His eyes were not completely closed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Enjoys Eternal Transcendental Bliss

  1. 1

    When the three worlds were submerged in water, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu lay alone on His bedstead, the great snake Ananta.

  2. 2

    Although He appeared to sleep, His eyes were not completely closed. He remained in His internal potency, free from the action of external energy.

  3. 3

    The Lord eternally enjoys transcendental bliss through His internal potency. During cosmic dissolution, His external potency is suspended.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord is eternally enjoying transcendental bliss by His internal potency, whereas the external potency is suspended during the time of the dissolution of the cosmic manifestation.

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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu

Brahmā searches for his origin upon the lotus arising from Viṣṇu and beholds the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. udawater
  2. āplutamsubmerged in
  3. viśvamthe three worlds
  4. idamthis
  5. tadāat that time
  6. āsītit so remained
  7. yatin which
  8. nidrayāin slumber
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description deepen your understanding of the Lord’s freedom from material energy?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering the Lord resting on Ananta, eternally enjoying His internal potency.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Enjoys Eternal Transcendental BlissThis 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 3.8.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories