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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.203.8.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.21

Mukti· Liberation
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

ततो निवृत्तोऽप्रतिलब्धकाम:

स्वधिष्ण्यमासाद्य पुन: स देव: ।

शनैर्जितश्वासनिवृत्तचित्तो

न्यषीददारूढसमाधियोग: ॥ २१ ॥

tato nivṛtto ’pratilabdha-kāmaḥ

sva-dhiṣṇyam āsādya punaḥ sa devaḥ

śanair jita-śvāsa-nivṛtta-citto

nyaṣīdad ārūḍha-samādhi-yogaḥ

Translation

Thereafter, being unable to achieve the desired destination, he retired from such searching and came back again to the top of the lotus. Thus, controlling all objectives, he concentrated his mind on the Supreme Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Self-Surrender Through Concentration on the Lord

  1. 1

    Unable to reach his desired destination by searching, he returned to the top of the lotus and concentrated his mind on the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    Samādhi means concentrating the mind on the supreme cause of all. This concentration is devotional service, even before one understands His actual nature.

  3. 3

    Ceasing personal sense endeavors and concentrating on the Supreme is a sign of self-surrender. Every living entity needs devotional service to understand the ultimate cause of existence.

Key points from the purport
  • Samādhi involves concentrating the mind upon the supreme cause of all, even if one is unaware of whether His actual nature is personal, impersonal or localized.
  • Concentration of the mind on the Supreme is certainly a form of devotional service.
  • To cease from personal sense endeavors and to concentrate on the supreme cause is a sign of self-surrender, and when self-surrender is present, that is a sure sign of devotional service.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. nivṛttaḥretired from that endeavor
  3. apratilabdha-kāmaḥwithout achievement of the desired destination
  4. sva-dhiṣṇyamown seat
  5. āsādyareaching
  6. punaḥagain
  7. saḥhe
  8. devaḥthe demigod
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • 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: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What personal sense endeavor distracts me from concentrating on the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Set aside one distraction today and spend a quiet minute concentrating your mind on the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelf-Surrender Through Concentration on 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.8.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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