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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
3.9.303.9.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.31

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

तत आत्मनि लोके च भक्तियुक्त: समाहित: ।

द्रष्टासि मां ततं ब्रह्यन्मयि लोकांस्त्वमात्मन: ॥ ३१ ॥

tata ātmani loke ca

bhakti-yuktaḥ samāhitaḥ

draṣṭāsi māṁ tataṁ brahman

mayi lokāṁs tvam ātmanaḥ

Translation

O Brahmā, when you are absorbed in devotional service, in the course of your creative activities, you will see Me in you and throughout the universe, and you will see that you yourself, the universe and the living entities are all in Me.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Absorption Reveals the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The Lord promises that, absorbed in devotional service during his creative work, Brahmā will see Him within himself and throughout the universe. He will also see himself, the universe and all living entities within the Lord.

  2. 2

    Brahmā would see the Supreme Lord as Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and appreciate His wonderful manifestations. These include His expansion into the calves at Vṛndāvana and the universes seen within His mouth by Yaśodāmayī.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s eternal, transcendental forms cannot be understood except by pure devotees. They are always engaged in His service and fully absorbed in Him.

Key points from the purport
  • It is cited herein by the Lord that during his daytime Brahmā would see Him as Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • But all these manifestations of the Lord, appearing everywhere in His eternal, transcendental forms, cannot be understood by anyone but the pure devotees, who are always engaged in devotional service to the Lord and are fully absorbed in the Lord.
  • The high qualifications of Brahmā are also indicated herein.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. ātmaniin yourself
  3. lokein the universe
  4. caalso
  5. bhakti-yuktaḥbeing situated in devotional service
  6. samāhitaḥbeing completely absorbed
  7. draṣṭā asiyou shall see
  8. māmMe
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “yaśodāmayī”

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

How can I give more attention to the Lord while carrying out my daily work?

Practice

Begin one task by remembering Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and intending to perform it in His service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Absorption Reveals the Supreme LordThis 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 3.9.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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