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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.43.8.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.5

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

स्वर्धुन्युदार्द्रै: स्वजटाकलापै-

रुपस्पृशन्तश्चरणोपधानम् ।

पद्मं यदर्चन्त्यहिराजकन्या:

सप्रेमनानाबलिभिर्वरार्था: ॥ ५ ॥

svardhuny-udārdraiḥ sva-jaṭā-kalāpair

upaspṛśantaś caraṇopadhānam

padmaṁ yad arcanty ahi-rāja-kanyāḥ

sa-prema nānā-balibhir varārthāḥ

Translation

The sages came from the highest planets down to the lower region through the water of the Ganges, and therefore the hair on their heads was wet. They touched the lotus feet of the Lord, which are worshiped with various paraphernalia by the daughters of the serpent-king when they desire good husbands.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Preserve Purification by Avoiding Further Sin

  1. 1

    The Ganges flows directly from the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, from the highest planet to the lowest. Through mystic yoga, the sages traveled down its waters from Satyaloka.

  2. 2

    Touching Ganges water to the head directly touches the Lord’s lotus feet and can free one from the effects of sinful acts.

  3. 3

    After purification, one must guard against further sinful acts. Returning to them is like an elephant bathing and then covering itself with dust.

Key points from the purport
  • The Ganges water flows directly from the lotus feet of Viṣṇu, and its course runs from the highest planet of the universe down to the lowest.
  • The statement that their hair was wet indicates that it was directly moistened by the water originating from the lotus feet of Viṣṇu (the Ganges).
  • Whoever touches the water of the Ganges to his head surely touches the lotus feet of the Lord directly and can become free from all effects of sinful acts.

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. svardhunī-udaby the water of the Ganges
  2. ārdraiḥbeing moistened
  3. sva-jaṭābunch of hairs
  4. kalāpaiḥsituated on the head
  5. upaspṛśantaḥby so touching
  6. caraṇa-upadhānamthe shelter of His feet
  7. padmamthe lotus shelter
  8. yatthat which
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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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purification”, “sinful”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “guard”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What habit could undo the purification you are seeking?

Practice

Identify one sinful action you need to avoid, and take one concrete precaution against it today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPreserve Purification by Avoiding Further SinThis 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 3.8.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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