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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
3.8.313.8.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.32

Sarga· Creation
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

तर्ह्येव तन्नाभिसर:सरोज-

मात्मामम्भ: श्वसनं वियच्च ।

ददर्श देवो जगतो विधाता

नात: परं लोकविसर्गद‍ृष्टि: ॥ ३२ ॥

tarhy eva tan-nābhi-saraḥ-sarojam

ātmānam ambhaḥ śvasanaṁ viyac ca

dadarśa devo jagato vidhātā

nātaḥ paraṁ loka-visarga-dṛṣṭiḥ

Translation

When Lord Brahmā, the maker of the universal destination, thus saw the Lord, he simultaneously glanced over creation. Lord Brahmā saw the lake in Lord Viṣṇu’s navel, and the lotus flower, as well as the devastating water, the drying air and the sky. All became visible to him.

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.

Brahmā Sees the Lord and Creation

  1. 1

    As Lord Brahmā saw the Lord, he simultaneously glanced over creation.

  2. 2

    Brahmā saw the lake in Lord Viṣṇu’s navel and the lotus flower.

  3. 3

    The devastating water, the drying air and the sky also became visible to Brahmā, the maker of the universal destination.

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. tarhitherefore
  2. evacertainly
  3. tatHis
  4. nābhinavel
  5. saraḥlake
  6. sarojamlotus flower
  7. ātmānamBrahmā
  8. ambhaḥthe devastating water
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Brahmā’s vision help you consider creation in relation to Lord Viṣṇu?

Practice

Pause for a moment today to recall Lord Viṣṇu and the elements of creation described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrahmā Sees the Lord and CreationThis 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 3.8.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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