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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
3.8.253.8.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.26

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

पुंसां स्वकामाय विविक्तमार्गै-

रभ्यर्चतां कामुदुघाङ्‌घ्रि पद्मम् ।

प्रदर्शयन्तं कृपया नखेन्दु-

मयूखभिन्नाङ्गुलिचारुपत्रम् ॥ २६ ॥

puṁsāṁ sva-kāmāya vivikta-mārgair

abhyarcatāṁ kāma-dughāṅghri-padmam

pradarśayantaṁ kṛpayā nakhendu-

mayūkha-bhinnāṅguli-cāru-patram

Translation

The Lord showed His lotus feet by raising them. His lotus feet are the source of all awards achieved by devotional service free from material contamination. Such awards are for those who worship Him in pure devotion. The splendor of the transcendental rays from His moonlike toenails and fingernails appeared like the petals of a flower.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotion Leads to Kṛṣṇa’s Association

  1. 1

    The Lord raised His lotus feet to show them. They are the source of all awards achieved through devotional service free from material contamination.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees desire only the Lord and His transcendental service, which is nondifferent from Him. Devotional service is the only spotless process for achieving His favor.

  3. 3

    Pure devotional service is free from speculative knowledge and fruitive activities. Its highest result is direct association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore, the Lord is the only desire of the pure devotees, and devotional service is the only spotless process for achieving His favor.
  • Such devotional service is able to award the pure devotee the highest result, namely direct association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • After penetrating for millions of years, Lord Brahmā could understand the transcendental form of the Lord as Śrī Kṛṣṇa, in the dress of a cowherd boy, and thus he recorded his experience in the Brahma-saṁhitā in the famous prayer 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.

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. puṁsāmof the human being
  2. sva-kāmāyaaccording to the desire
  3. vivikta-mārgaiḥby the path of devotional service
  4. abhyarcatāmworshiped
  5. kāma-dugha-aṅghri-padmamthe lotus feet of the Lord, which can award all desired fruits
  6. pradarśayantamwhile showing them
  7. kṛpayāby causeless mercy
  8. nakhanails
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worship”, “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • 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

Am I seeking the Lord’s service itself, or something else in return?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer today asking for service to Lord Kṛṣṇa rather than a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Devotion Leads to Kṛṣṇa’s AssociationThis 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 3.8.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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