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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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy
3.9.183.9.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.19

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

तिर्यङ्‍मनुष्यविबुधादिषु जीवयोनि-

ष्वात्मेच्छयात्मकृतसेतुपरीप्सया य: ।

रेमे निरस्तविषयोऽप्यवरुद्धदेह-

स्तस्मै नमो भगवते पुरुषोत्तमाय ॥ १९ ॥

tiryaṅ-manuṣya-vibudhādiṣu jīva-yoniṣv

ātmecchayātma-kṛta-setu-parīpsayā yaḥ

reme nirasta-viṣayo ’py avaruddha-dehas

tasmai namo bhagavate puruṣottamāya

Translation

O my Lord, by Your own will You appear in the various species of living entities, among animals lower than human beings as well as among the demigods, to perform Your transcendental pastimes. You are not affected by material contamination. You come just to fulfill the obligations of Your own principles of religion, and therefore, O Supreme Personality, I offer my obeisances unto You for manifesting such different forms.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Incarnations Are Always Transcendental

  1. 1

    The Lord appears in different species by His own will, without material contamination. All His incarnations are transcendental.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa and Rāma appear in human form but are not ordinary human beings. The Lord’s hog and fish forms are likewise transcendental, not material.

  3. 3

    The Lord manifests these forms for His pleasure and pastimes, especially to enliven and deliver His devotees. He also appears to maintain His own principles of religion.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord’s incarnations in different species of life are all transcendental.
  • They are transcendental forms of the Lord and are manifested under certain necessities of His own pleasure and pastimes.
  • All His incarnations are manifested whenever there is a need to deliver His devotees and maintain His own principles.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.9.19 quotesBG 9.11

Anyone who mistakes Him for an ordinary human being is certainly not very intelligent, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (9.11): avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. tiryakanimals lower than human beings
  2. manuṣyahuman beings, etc.
  3. vibudha-ādiṣuamongst the demigods
  4. jīva-yoniṣuin different species of life
  5. ātmaself
  6. icchayāby the will
  7. ātma-kṛtaself-created
  8. setuobligations
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: “religion”, “principles”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “material”

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

Do I sometimes judge the Lord’s forms by ordinary material appearances?

Practice

Reread this translation and offer respects to the Lord for appearing to protect His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Incarnations Are Always TranscendentalThis 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 3.9.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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