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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
3.8.183.8.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.19

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

स इत्थमुद्वीक्ष्य तदब्जनाल-

नाडीभिरन्तर्जलमाविवेश ।

नार्वाग्गतस्तत्खरनालनाल-

नाभिं विचिन्वंस्तदविन्दताज: ॥ १९ ॥

sa ittham udvīkṣya tad-abja-nāla-

nāḍībhir antar-jalam āviveśa

nārvāg-gatas tat-khara-nāla-nāla-

nābhiṁ vicinvaṁs tad avindatājaḥ

Translation

Lord Brahmā, thus contemplating, entered the water through the channel of the stem of the lotus. But in spite of entering the stem and going nearer to the navel of Viṣṇu, he could not trace out the root.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Opens Understanding of the Lord

  1. 1

    Brahmā entered the water through the channel of the lotus stem. Although he went nearer to Viṣṇu’s navel, he could not trace the root.

  2. 2

    Personal endeavor may bring one nearer to the Lord, but without His mercy one cannot reach the ultimate point.

  3. 3

    True understanding of the Lord is possible only through devotional service. Effort alone cannot replace His mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • By dint of one’s personal endeavor one may go nearer to the Lord, but without the Lord’s mercy one cannot reach the ultimate point.
  • Such understanding of the Lord is possible only by devotional service, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (18.55): bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ.

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· 1

The purport of SB 3.8.19 quotesBG 18.55

Such understanding of the Lord is possible only by devotional service, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (18.55): bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ.

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. saḥhe (Brahmā)
  2. itthamin this way
  3. udvīkṣyacontemplating
  4. tatthat
  5. abjalotus
  6. nālastem
  7. nāḍībhiḥby the pipe
  8. antaḥ-jalamwithin the water
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking to understand the Lord through devotional service, or relying only on my own effort?

Practice

Offer a short prayer asking for the Lord’s mercy and the opportunity to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Opens Understanding of the LordThis 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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