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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
3.8.83.8.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.9

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

प्रोवाच मह्यं स दयालुरुक्तो

मुनि: पुलस्त्येन पुराणमाद्यम् ।

सोऽहं तवैतत्कथयामि वत्स

श्रद्धालवे नित्यमनुव्रताय ॥ ९ ॥

provāca mahyaṁ sa dayālur ukto

muniḥ pulastyena purāṇam ādyam

so ’haṁ tavaitat kathayāmi vatsa

śraddhālave nityam anuvratāya

Translation

The great sage Parāśara, as aforementioned, being so advised by the great sage Pulastya, spoke unto me the foremost of the Purāṇas [Bhāgavatam]. I shall also describe this before you, my dear son, in terms of my hearing, because you are always my faithful follower.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Forgiveness and Faithful Hearing

  1. 1

    At Vasiṣṭha’s request, Parāśara stopped the sacrifice meant to destroy the demons. Pulastya appreciated his forgiveness and blessed him to become a great speaker of the Purāṇas.

  2. 2

    Parāśara first spoke Śrīmad-Bhāgavata Purāṇa because it is foremost among the Purāṇas. Maitreya wished to repeat what he had heard from him.

  3. 3

    Vidura was qualified to hear because he was faithful and followed the instructions of his superiors. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has been transmitted through disciplic succession since time immemorial.

Key points from the purport
  • Parāśara having stopped the sacrifice, Pulastya, the father of the demons, appreciated his brahminical temperament and gave the blessing that in the future he would be a great speaker on the Vedic literatures called the Purāṇas, the supplements of the Vedas.
  • Parāśara’s action was appreciated by Pulastya because Parāśara had forgiven the demons out of his brahminical power of forgiveness.
  • As the great speaker of the Purāṇas, Parāśara first of all spoke on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavata Purāṇa because it is the foremost of all the Purāṇas.

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. provācasaid
  2. mahyamunto me
  3. saḥhe
  4. dayāluḥkindhearted
  5. uktaḥaforementioned
  6. muniḥsage
  7. pulastyenaby the sage Pulastya
  8. purāṇam ādyamthe foremost of all the Purāṇas
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “blessed”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might forgiveness help you preserve your spiritual qualities when someone wrongs you?

Practice

Recall one grievance today and choose not to speak or act in retaliation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayForgiveness and Faithful HearingThis 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.

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