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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
3.9.27-283.9.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 3.9.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीभगवानुवाच

मा वेदगर्भ गास्तन्द्रीं सर्ग उद्यममावह ।

तन्मयापादितं ह्यग्रे यन्मां प्रार्थयते भवान् ॥ २९ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

mā veda-garbha gās tandrīṁ

sarga udyamam āvaha

tan mayāpāditaṁ hy agre

yan māṁ prārthayate bhavān

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead then said: O Brahmā, O depth of Vedic wisdom, be neither depressed nor anxious about the execution of creation. What you are begging from Me has already been granted before.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Responsibility Without False Pride

  1. 1

    The Lord tells Brahmā not to be depressed or anxious: the blessing he seeks has already been granted. Work authorized by the Lord or His bona fide representative is already blessed.

  2. 2

    One entrusted with responsibility should remain aware of personal limitations and always seek the Lord’s mercy. Such responsibility is good fortune, not a reason for pride.

  3. 3

    Arjuna accepted the Lord as his supreme guide rather than claiming independent success. Brahmā and those who follow his disciplic succession likewise succeed in loving service by remaining subordinate to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Any person authorized by either the Lord or by His bona fide representative is already blessed, as is the work entrusted to him.
  • Arjuna was entrusted with the work of fighting on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, and before he was so entrusted, the Lord had already arranged for his victory.
  • But Arjuna was always conscious of his position as subordinate to the Lord, and thus he accepted Him as the supreme guide in his responsibility.

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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Lord, the Personality of Godhead, said
  2. mādo not
  3. veda-garbhaO You who have the depth of all Vedic wisdom
  4. gāḥ tandrīmbecome dejected
  5. sargefor creation
  6. udyamamenterprises
  7. āvahayou just undertake
  8. tatthat (which you want)
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “wisdom”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “mercy”, “blessing”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “pride”

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 my responsibilities make me more dependent on the Lord or more proud of myself?

Practice

Before carrying out one responsibility, acknowledge your limitations and ask for the Lord’s mercy.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Responsibility Without False PrideThis 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 3.9.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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