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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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.113.8.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.12

Sarga· Creation
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

चतुर्युगानां च सहस्रमप्सु

स्वपन् स्वयोदीरितया स्वशक्त्या ।

कालाख्ययासादितकर्मतन्त्रो

लोकानपीतान्दद‍ृशे स्वदेहे ॥ १२ ॥

catur-yugānāṁ ca sahasram apsu

svapan svayodīritayā sva-śaktyā

kālākhyayāsādita-karma-tantro

lokān apītān dadṛśe sva-dehe

Translation

The Lord lay down for a thousand cycles of four yugas in His internal potency, and by His external energy He appeared to be sleeping within the water. When the living entities were coming out for further development of their fruitive activities, actuated by the energy called kāla-śakti, He saw His transcendental body as bluish.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Temporary Gain Can Deepen Material Bondage

  1. 1

    The Lord rested in His internal potency for a thousand cycles of four yugas. Through His external energy, He appeared to be sleeping within the water.

  2. 2

    The influence of kāla-śakti is seen in working for fruitive results. Such work seeks temporary benefit while keeping the living entity in material bondage.

  3. 3

    A person may risk sinful activities to leave wealth for his children, thinking himself clever. The purport explains that this polluted mentality and material sin keep one bound.

Key points from the purport
  • The symptom of the influence of the kāla-śakti is that one has to work in the material world for fruitive results.
  • Due to this polluted mentality and due to material sins, the aggregate combination of living entities appeared to be bluish.
  • Such an impetus of activity for fruitive result is made possible by the dictation of the external energy of the Lord, kāla.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. catuḥfour
  2. yugānāmof the millenniums
  3. caalso
  4. sahasramone thousand
  5. apsuin the water
  6. svapandreaming in sleep
  7. svayāwith His internal potency
  8. udīritayāfor further development
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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 3.8

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “children”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I treating a temporary gain as worth compromising my conduct?

Practice

Review one financial ambition today and identify any harmful action you should refuse in pursuing it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTemporary Gain Can Deepen Material BondageThis 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 3.8.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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