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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
3.8.243.8.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.25

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

आयामतो विस्तरत: स्वमान-

देहेन लोकत्रयसंग्रहेण ।

विचित्रदिव्याभरणांशुकानां

कृतश्रियापाश्रितवेषदेहम् ॥ २५ ॥

āyāmato vistarataḥ sva-māna-

dehena loka-traya-saṅgraheṇa

vicitra-divyābharaṇāṁśukānāṁ

kṛta-śriyāpāśrita-veṣa-deham

Translation

His transcendental body, unlimited in length and breadth, occupied the three planetary systems, upper, middle and lower. His body was self-illuminated by unparalleled dress and variegatedness and was properly ornamented.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Unlimited, Varied Beauty

  1. 1

    The Lord’s transcendental body, unlimited in length and breadth, occupied the upper, middle and lower planetary systems.

  2. 2

    His body can be measured only by His own measurement, because He pervades the complete cosmic manifestation.

  3. 3

    Material nature receives its beauty from His personal beauty. His magnificent dress and ornaments reveal transcendental variety, which is important for advancing in spiritual knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • The length and breadth of the transcendental body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead could only be measured by His own measurement because He is all-pervading throughout the complete cosmic manifestation.
  • The beauty of material nature is due to His personal beauty, yet He is always magnificently dressed and ornamented to prove His transcendental variegatedness, which is so important in the advancement of spiritual knowledge.

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. āyāmataḥby length
  2. vistarataḥby breadth
  3. sva-mānaby His own measurement
  4. dehenaby the transcendental body
  5. loka-trayathe three (upper, middle and lower) planetary systems
  6. saṅgraheṇaby total absorption
  7. vicitravariegated
  8. divyatranscendental
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: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this description deepen my understanding of the Lord’s transcendental beauty?

Practice

Reread the translation and note one feature that reveals the variety of the Lord’s transcendental form.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Unlimited, Varied BeautyThis 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 3.8.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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