1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy
3.9.173.9.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.9.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यस्माद्‌बिभेम्यहमपि द्विपरार्धधिष्ण्य-

मध्यासित: सकललोकनमस्कृतं यत् ।

तेपे तपो बहुसवोऽवरुरुत्समान-

स्तस्मै नमो भगवतेऽधिमखाय तुभ्यम् ॥ १८ ॥

yasmād bibhemy aham api dviparārdha-dhiṣṇyam

adhyāsitaḥ sakala-loka-namaskṛtaṁ yat

tepe tapo bahu-savo ’varurutsamānas

tasmai namo bhagavate ’dhimakhāya tubhyam

Translation

Your Lordship, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You who are indefatigable time and the enjoyer of all sacrifices. Although I am situated in an abode which will continue to exist for a time duration of two parārdhas, although I am the leader of all other planets in the universe, and although I have undergone many, many years of penance for self-realization, still I offer my respects unto You.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Even Brahmā Offers the Lord Respects

  1. 1

    Brahmā has the longest life in the universe and is honored for his penance, influence and prestige. Yet he still offers respectful obeisances to the Lord.

  2. 2

    The Lord is indefatigable time and the enjoyer of all sacrifices. Brahmā’s exalted position does not remove his duty to honor Him.

  3. 3

    Those far below Brahmā’s standard should follow his example. Offering respects to the Lord is a duty for everyone.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā is the greatest personality in the universe because he has the longest duration of life.
  • He is the most respectable personality because of his penance, influence, prestige, etc., and still he has to offer his respectful obeisances unto the Lord.
  • Therefore, it is incumbent upon all others, who are far, far below the standard of Brahmā, to do as he did and offer respects as a matter of duty.

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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy

Brahmā prays for mercy and creative power, and the Lord instructs and blesses him.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasmātfrom whom
  2. bibhemifear
  3. ahamI
  4. apialso
  5. dvi-para-ardhaup to the limit of 4,300,000,000 × 2 × 30 × 12 × 100 solar years
  6. dhiṣṇyamplace
  7. adhyāsitaḥsituated in
  8. sakala-lokaall other planets
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “duty”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does pride in my achievements ever make me forget to offer the Lord respect?

Practice

Offer a respectful bow to the Lord today, remembering Brahmā’s example.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEven Brahmā Offers the Lord RespectsThis 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 3.9.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories