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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
3.9.223.9.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.23

Mukti· Liberation
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

एष प्रपन्नवरदो रमयात्मशक्त्या

यद्यत्करिष्यति गृहीतगुणावतार: ।

तस्मिन् स्वविक्रममिदं सृजतोऽपि चेतो

युञ्जीत कर्मशमलं च यथा विजह्याम् ॥ २३ ॥

eṣa prapanna-varado ramayātma-śaktyā

yad yat kariṣyati gṛhīta-guṇāvatāraḥ

tasmin sva-vikramam idaṁ sṛjato ’pi ceto

yuñjīta karma-śamalaṁ ca yathā vijahyām

Translation

The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, is always the benefactor of the surrendered souls. His activities are always enacted through His internal potency, Ramā, or the goddess of fortune. I pray only to engage in His service in the creation of the material world, and I pray that I not be materially affected by my works, for thus I may be able to give up the false prestige of being the creator.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve as the Lord’s Instrument

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is always the benefactor of surrendered souls. His activities are carried out through His internal potency, Ramā, the goddess of fortune.

  2. 2

    Brahmā wanted to remain an instrument of the Lord rather than become proud of being the creator. This humble position makes one dear to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Intelligent persons give the Lord credit for wonderful creations, knowing that nothing moves without His will. Spiritual consciousness frees one from material attachment.

Key points from the purport
  • In the matter of material creation, maintenance and destruction, there are three incarnations of the material modes of nature — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara.
  • Brahmā, who is only an assistant in the modes of creation, wanted to remain in his actual position as an instrument of the Lord instead of becoming puffed up by the false prestige of thinking himself the creator.
  • By spiritual consciousness only can one be free from the contamination of material affection and receive the benedictions offered by the Lord.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. eṣaḥthis
  2. prapannaone who is surrendered
  3. vara-daḥbenefactor
  4. ramayāenjoying always with the goddess of fortune (Lakṣmī)
  5. ātma-śaktyāwith His internal potency
  6. yat yatwhatever
  7. kariṣyatiHe may act
  8. gṛhītaaccepting
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “humble”, “proud”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “give up”

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

Where am I tempted to take all the credit instead of recognizing the Lord’s help?

Practice

Before one task today, pray to serve as the Lord’s instrument without seeking personal prestige.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe as the Lord’s InstrumentThis 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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