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
3.8.13.8.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.2

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

सोऽहं नृणां क्षुल्लसुखाय दु:खं

महद्‌गतानां विरमाय तस्य ।

प्रवर्तये भागवतं पुराणं

यदाह साक्षाद्भगवानृषिभ्य: ॥ २ ॥

so ’haṁ nṛṇāṁ kṣulla-sukhāya duḥkhaṁ

mahad gatānāṁ viramāya tasya

pravartaye bhāgavataṁ purāṇaṁ

yad āha sākṣād bhagavān ṛṣibhyaḥ

Translation

Let me now begin speaking on the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which was directly spoken to the great sages by the Personality of Godhead for the benefit of those who are entangled in extreme miseries for the sake of very little pleasure.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Bhāgavatam Frees Us From Entanglement

  1. 1

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam comes down through disciplic succession for the solution of the problems of human society. Maitreya speaks it out of compassion for those who suffer.

  2. 2

    Under material energy, living beings accept great difficulties for very little happiness. Mistaking the body for the self, they develop attachments they imagine will last forever.

  3. 3

    Contact with both the book Bhāgavatam and the devotee who understands it offers freedom from material entanglement. Hearing in the association of pure devotees is a fortunate opportunity.

Key points from the purport
  • The sage Maitreya proposed to speak on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam because it was especially compiled, and traditionally comes down in the disciplic succession, for the solution of all the problems of human society.
  • Under the spell of material energy, the living entities are entrapped in the bondage of many difficulties simply for the sake of a little bit of material happiness.
  • Therefore Śrī Maitreya Muni, out of compassion for the suffering men in the world, proposes to speak on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam first and last.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthat
  2. ahamI
  3. nṛṇāmof the human being
  4. kṣullavery little
  5. sukhāyafor happiness
  6. duḥkhamdistress
  7. mahatgreat
  8. gatānāmentered into
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachments”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understands”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where are you accepting much difficulty for only a little material pleasure?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to hear Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a devotee who understands it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Bhāgavatam Frees Us From EntanglementThis 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 3.8.2? 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