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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.8.33.8.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.4

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

स्वमेव धिष्ण्यं बहु मानयन्तं

यद्वासुदेवाभिधमामनन्ति ।

प्रत्यग्धृताक्षाम्बुजकोशमीष-

दुन्मीलयन्तं विबुधोदयाय ॥ ४ ॥

svam eva dhiṣṇyaṁ bahu mānayantaṁ

yad vāsudevābhidham āmananti

pratyag-dhṛtākṣāmbuja-kośam īṣad

unmīlayantaṁ vibudhodayāya

Translation

At that time Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa was meditating upon His Supreme Lord, whom the learned esteem as Lord Vāsudeva, but for the sake of the advancement of the great learned sages He slightly opened His lotus like eyes and began to speak.

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 Speaks for Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa was meditating upon His Supreme Lord. The learned esteem that Lord as Vāsudeva.

  2. 2

    Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa slightly opened His lotuslike eyes and began to speak.

  3. 3

    He spoke for the advancement of the great learned sages. Even these sages benefited from hearing the Lord.

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. svamHimself
  2. evathus
  3. dhiṣṇyamsituated
  4. bahugreatly
  5. mānayantamesteemed
  6. yatthat which
  7. vāsudevaLord Vāsudeva
  8. abhidhamby the name
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you approach hearing with a sincere desire for spiritual advancement?

Practice

Before studying today, pause briefly and remember Lord Vāsudeva.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Speaks for Spiritual AdvancementThis 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 3.8.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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