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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
3.8.223.8.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.23

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

मृणालगौरायतशेषभोग-

पर्यङ्क एकं पुरुषं शयानम् ।

फणातपत्रायुतमूर्धरत्न-

द्युभिर्हतध्वान्तयुगान्ततोये ॥ २३ ॥

mṛṇāla-gaurāyata-śeṣa-bhoga-

paryaṅka ekaṁ puruṣaṁ śayānam

phaṇātapatrāyuta-mūrdha-ratna-

dyubhir hata-dhvānta-yugānta-toye

Translation

Brahmā could see that on the water there was a gigantic lotuslike white bedstead, the body of Śeṣa-nāga, on which the Personality of Godhead was lying alone. The whole atmosphere was illuminated by the rays of the jewels bedecking the hood of Śeṣa-nāga, and that illumination dissipated all the darkness of those regions.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Rests Upon Śeṣa-nāga

  1. 1

    Brahmā saw the Personality of Godhead lying alone upon the water.

  2. 2

    The gigantic white body of Śeṣa-nāga formed His lotuslike bedstead.

  3. 3

    Rays from the jewels on Śeṣa-nāga’s hood illuminated the whole atmosphere and dispelled the darkness.

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. mṛṇālalotus flower
  2. gaurawhite all over
  3. āyatagigantic
  4. śeṣa-bhogabody of Śeṣa-nāga
  5. paryaṅkeon the bed
  6. ekamalone
  7. puruṣamthe Supreme Person
  8. śayānamwas lying
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

Which detail of this vision helps me concentrate on the Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, then spend a minute recalling the Lord resting on the white body of Śeṣa-nāga.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Rests Upon Śeṣa-nāgaThis 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 3.8.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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