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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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.133.8.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.14

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

स पद्मकोश: सहसोदतिष्ठत्

कालेन कर्मप्रतिबोधनेन ।

स्वरोचिषा तत्सलिलं विशालं

विद्योतयन्नर्क इवात्मयोनि: ॥ १४ ॥

sa padma-kośaḥ sahasodatiṣṭhat

kālena karma-pratibodhanena

sva-rociṣā tat salilaṁ viśālaṁ

vidyotayann arka ivātma-yoniḥ

Translation

Piercing through, this sum total form of the fruitive activity of the living entities took the shape of the bud of a lotus flower generated from the Personality of Viṣṇu, and by His supreme will it illuminated everything, like the sun, and dried up the vast waters of devastation.

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.

The Lotus Appears by His Supreme Will

  1. 1

    The sum total form of the living entities’ fruitive activity took the shape of a lotus bud.

  2. 2

    This lotus bud was generated from the Personality of Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    By His supreme will, it illuminated everything like the sun and dried up the vast waters of devastation.

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. saḥthat
  2. padma-kośaḥbud of a lotus flower
  3. sahasāsuddenly
  4. udatiṣṭhatappeared
  5. kālenaby time
  6. karmafruitive activities
  7. pratibodhanenaawakening
  8. sva-rociṣāby its own effulgence
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this verse direct my attention to Viṣṇu’s supreme will?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute recalling the lotus illuminating everything by Viṣṇu’s supreme will.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lotus Appears by His Supreme WillThis 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.

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