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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
3.8.173.8.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

क एष योऽसावहमब्जपृष्ठ

एतत्कुतो वाब्जमनन्यदप्सु ।

अस्ति ह्यधस्तादिह किञ्चनैत-

दधिष्ठितं यत्र सता नु भाव्यम् ॥ १८ ॥

ka eṣa yo ’sāv aham abja-pṛṣṭha

etat kuto vābjam ananyad apsu

asti hy adhastād iha kiñcanaitad

adhiṣṭhitaṁ yatra satā nu bhāvyam

Translation

Lord Brahmā, in his ignorance, contemplated: Who am I that am situated on the top of this lotus? Wherefrom has it sprouted? There must be something downwards, and that from which this lotus has grown must be within the water.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek the Ultimate Cause With Perseverance

  1. 1

    Brahmā asked who he was and where the lotus beneath him had come from. He reasoned that its source must lie below, within the water.

  2. 2

    The most intelligent person seeks the cause of his own existence and of the whole cosmic creation. In this way, he seeks the ultimate cause.

  3. 3

    When this search is properly carried out with penances and perseverance, it is sure to succeed.

Key points from the purport
  • The subject matter of the speculations of Brahmā in the beginning regarding the creation of the cosmic manifestation is still a subject matter for mental speculators.
  • The most intelligent man is he who tries to find the cause of his personal existence and that of the whole cosmic creation and thus tries to find the ultimate cause.
  • If his attempt is properly executed with penances and perseverance, it is sure to be crowned with success.

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. kaḥwho
  2. eṣaḥthis
  3. yaḥ asau ahamthat I am
  4. abja-pṛṣṭheon top of the lotus
  5. etatthis
  6. kutaḥwherefrom
  7. vāeither
  8. abjamlotus flower
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How much attention do I give to understanding the ultimate cause of my existence?

Practice

Set aside five minutes without distractions to reflect on Brahmā’s questions about his existence and its source.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek the Ultimate Cause With PerseveranceThis 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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