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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
3.8.123.8.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.13

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

तस्यार्थसूक्ष्माभिनिविष्टद‍ृष्टे-

रन्तर्गतोऽर्थो रजसा तनीयान् ।

गुणेन कालानुगतेन विद्ध:

सूष्यंस्तदाभिद्यत नाभिदेशात् ॥ १३ ॥

tasyārtha-sūkṣmābhiniviṣṭa-dṛṣṭer

antar-gato ’rtho rajasā tanīyān

guṇena kālānugatena viddhaḥ

sūṣyaṁs tadābhidyata nābhi-deśāt

Translation

The subtle subject matter of creation, on which the Lord’s attention was fixed, was agitated by the material mode of passion, and thus the subtle form of creation pierced through His abdomen.

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.

Creation Develops Under the Lord’s Attention

  1. 1

    The Lord fixed His attention on the subtle subject matter of creation.

  2. 2

    This subtle subject matter was agitated by the material mode of passion.

  3. 3

    The subtle form of creation then pierced through the Lord’s abdomen.

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. tasyaHis
  2. arthasubject
  3. sūkṣmasubtle
  4. abhiniviṣṭa-dṛṣṭeḥof one whose attention was fixed
  5. antaḥ-gataḥinternal
  6. arthaḥpurpose
  7. rajasāby the mode of passion of material nature
  8. tanīyānvery subtle
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What place does the Lord’s attention have in this description of creation?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and note its three movements: attention, agitation and emergence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCreation Develops Under the Lord’s AttentionThis 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 3.8.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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