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
3.8.143.8.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.15

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

तल्लोकपद्मं स उ एव विष्णु:

प्रावीविशत्सर्वगुणावभासम् ।

तस्मिन् स्वयं वेदमयो विधाता

स्वयम्भुवं यं स्म वदन्ति सोऽभूत् ॥ १५ ॥

tal loka-padmaṁ sa u eva viṣṇuḥ

prāvīviśat sarva-guṇāvabhāsam

tasmin svayaṁ vedamayo vidhātā

svayambhuvaṁ yaṁ sma vadanti so ’bhūt

Translation

Into that universal lotus flower Lord Viṣṇu personally entered as the Supersoul, and when it was thus impregnated with all the modes of material nature, the personality of Vedic wisdom, whom we call the self-born, was generated.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā Arises Through Viṣṇu’s Presence

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu personally entered the universal lotus as the Supersoul. This lotus is the universal virāṭ form, the Lord’s gigantic form in the material world.

  2. 2

    The universal form merges into Viṣṇu’s abdomen at dissolution and becomes manifest at creation. Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu enters each universe.

  3. 3

    Brahmā, the personality of Vedic wisdom and controller of the universe, was generated from this lotus. Having no material father, he is called self-born, or svayambhū.

Key points from the purport
  • This lotus flower is the universal virāṭ form, or the gigantic form of the Lord in the material world.
  • In this form is the sum total of all the fruitive activities of the living entities conditioned by material nature, and the first of them, namely Brahmā, or the controller of the universe, is generated from this lotus flower.
  • From this description we have the conception of three — the gross virāṭ form, the subtle Hiraṇyagarbha and the material creative force, Brahmā.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.4.5

Viṣṇu, however, is the self-manifested Personality of Godhead who enters the material universe by His own internal potency, as stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.8.15): In conclusion, Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the supreme controller whose personal form is full of eternal existence, knowledge and bliss, who is beginningless but is the beginning of everything, who is known as…

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 5.93

A full description of Brahmā’s birth is given in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.8.15-16).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. tatthat
  2. lokauniversal
  3. padmamlotus flower
  4. saḥHe
  5. ucertainly
  6. evafactually
  7. viṣṇuḥthe Lord
  8. prāvīviśatentered into
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “wisdom”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Brahmā’s origin show his dependence on Viṣṇu?

Practice

Write a brief definition of svayambhū, including why this name applies to Brahmā.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Arises Through Viṣṇu’s PresenceThis 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 3.8.15? 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