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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
3.8.153.8.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.16

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

तस्यां स चाम्भोरुहकर्णिकाया-

मवस्थितो लोकमपश्यमान: ।

परिक्रमन् व्योम्नि विवृत्तनेत्र-

श्चत्वारि लेभेऽनुदिशं मुखानि ॥ १६ ॥

tasyāṁ sa cāmbho-ruha-karṇikāyām

avasthito lokam apaśyamānaḥ

parikraman vyomni vivṛtta-netraś

catvāri lebhe ’nudiśaṁ mukhāni

Translation

Brahmā, born out of the lotus flower, could not see the world, although he was situated in the whorl. He therefore circumambulated all of space, and while moving his eyes in all directions he achieved four heads in terms of the four directions.

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.

Brahmā Looks in Every Direction

  1. 1

    Brahmā was born from the lotus flower and was situated in its whorl.

  2. 2

    Although situated there, he could not see the world and therefore circumambulated all of space.

  3. 3

    As he moved his eyes in every direction, he achieved four heads corresponding to the four directions.

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. tasyāmin that
  2. saḥBrahmā
  3. caand
  4. ambhaḥwater
  5. ruha-karṇikāyāmwhorl of the lotus
  6. avasthitaḥbeing situated
  7. lokamthe world
  8. apaśyamānaḥwithout being able to see
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

What do I notice about Brahmā’s initial inability to see the world?

Practice

Reread the translation and briefly describe Brahmā’s position, search and four heads.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Looks in Every DirectionThis 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 3.8.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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