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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
3.8.323.9.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.33

Visarga· Brahmā's 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

स कर्मबीजं रजसोपरक्त:

प्रजा: सिसृक्षन्नियदेव दृष्ट्वा ।

अस्तौद्विसर्गाभिमुखस्तमीड्य-

मव्यक्तवर्त्मन्यभिवेशितात्मा ॥ ३३ ॥

sa karma-bījaṁ rajasoparaktaḥ

prajāḥ sisṛkṣann iyad eva dṛṣṭvā

astaud visargābhimukhas tam īḍyam

avyakta-vartmany abhiveśitātmā

Translation

Lord Brahmā, thus being surcharged with the mode of passion, became inclined to create, and after seeing the five causes of creation indicated by the Personality of Godhead, he began to offer his respectful prayers on the path of the creative mentality.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter Before Beginning Your Work

  1. 1

    Surcharged with the mode of passion, Lord Brahmā became inclined to create. He saw the five causes of creation indicated by the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    As he prepared to create, Brahmā began offering respectful prayers to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Even one in the material mode of passion must take shelter of the Supreme for the energy needed to create something. This is the path to the successful completion of any attempt.

Key points from the purport
  • Even if one is in the material mode of passion, to create something in the world he has to take shelter of the Supreme for the necessary energy.
  • That is the path of the successful termination of any attempt.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Eighth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.”

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. saḥhe (Brahmā)
  2. karma-bījamseed of worldly activities
  3. rajasā uparaktaḥinitiated by the mode of passion
  4. prajāḥliving entities
  5. sisṛkṣanwilling to create progeny
  6. iyatall the five causes of creation
  7. evathus
  8. dṛṣṭvālooking on
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

In what task today can you seek the Lord’s shelter rather than rely only on your own energy?

Practice

Before beginning one task today, offer a brief, respectful prayer to the Lord for the energy to carry it out in His service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter Before Beginning Your WorkThis 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 3.8.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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