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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
3.8.213.8.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.22

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

कालेन सोऽज: पुरुषायुषाभि-

प्रवृत्तयोगेन विरूढबोध: ।

स्वयं तदन्तर्हृदयेऽवभात-

मपश्यतापश्यत यन्न पूर्वम् ॥ २२ ॥

kālena so ’jaḥ puruṣāyuṣābhi-

pravṛtta-yogena virūḍha-bodhaḥ

svayaṁ tad antar-hṛdaye ’vabhātam

apaśyatāpaśyata yan na pūrvam

Translation

At the end of Brahmā’s one hundred years, when his meditation was complete, he developed the required knowledge, and as a result he could see in his heart the Supreme within himself, whom he could not see before with the greatest endeavor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowing the Lord Requires His Mercy

  1. 1

    After one hundred years of meditation, Brahmā developed the knowledge needed to see the Supreme Lord within his heart.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Lord can be experienced only through devotional service, not through personal endeavor in mental speculation.

  3. 3

    Brahmā’s years are divya years, distinct from human solar years. One must wait for the Lord’s mercy to serve Him or know Him as He is.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord can be experienced only through the process of devotional service and not by one’s personal endeavor in mental speculation.
  • The age of Brahmā is calculated in terms of divya years, which are distinct from the solar years of human beings.
  • On that basis, Brahmā meditated for one hundred years before he could understand the supreme cause of all causes, and then he wrote the Brahma-saṁhitā, which is approved and recognized by Lord Caitanya and in which he sings, govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi.

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 3.8.22 quotesBG 8.17

The divya years are calculated in Bhagavad-gītā (8.17): sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmaṇo viduḥ.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kālenain due course of time
  2. saḥhe
  3. ajaḥthe self-born Brahmā
  4. puruṣa-āyuṣāby the duration of his age
  5. abhipravṛttabeing engaged
  6. yogenain meditation
  7. virūḍhadeveloped
  8. bodhaḥintelligence
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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: “knowledge”

  • 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

How can I approach knowing the Lord with more patience and dependence on His mercy?

Practice

Before your devotional service today, pause and ask for the Lord’s mercy to serve and understand Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnowing the Lord Requires His MercyThis 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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