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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
3.9.343.9.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.35

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

ऋषिमाद्यं न बध्नाति पापीयांस्त्वां रजोगुण: ।

यन्मनो मयि निर्बद्धं प्रजा: संसृजतोऽपि ते ॥ ३५ ॥

ṛṣim ādyaṁ na badhnāti

pāpīyāṁs tvāṁ rajo-guṇaḥ

yan mano mayi nirbaddhaṁ

prajāḥ saṁsṛjato ’pi te

Translation

You are the original ṛṣi, and because your mind is always fixed on Me, even though you will be engaged in generating various progeny the vicious mode of passion will never encroach upon you.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Mind Fixed on the Lord

  1. 1

    Because Brahmā’s mind is fixed on the Lord, the mode of passion will not encroach upon him while he generates progeny.

  2. 2

    Favored by the Lord, Brahmā’s schemes and plans are infallible.

  3. 3

    When pure devotees such as Brahmā and Arjuna appear bewildered, that bewilderment is meant for further advancement in knowledge of the Lord and transcendental service.

Key points from the purport
  • The same assurance is given to Brahmā in the Second Canto, Chapter Nine, verse 36.
  • If sometimes Brahmā is seen to be bewildered, as, in the Tenth Canto, he is bewildered by seeing the action of the internal potency, that is also for his further advancement in transcendental service.
  • All such bewilderment of the pure devotees of the Lord is specifically meant for their further advancement in knowledge of 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. ṛṣimunto the great sage
  2. ādyamthe first of the kind
  3. nanever
  4. badhnātiencroaches
  5. pāpīyānvicious
  6. tvāmyou
  7. rajaḥ-guṇaḥthe material mode of passion
  8. yatbecause
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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: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “favored”

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

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

While carrying out my responsibilities, how can I keep my mind directed toward the Lord?

Practice

Before beginning one responsibility today, pause and remember the Lord as the object of your service.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Mind Fixed on the 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 3.9.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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