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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
3.9.433.10.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.44

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.9.44inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

तस्मा एवं जगत्स्रष्ट्रे प्रधानपुरुषेश्वर: ।

व्यज्येदं स्वेन रूपेण कञ्जनाभस्तिरोदधे ॥ ४४ ॥

maitreya uvāca

tasmā evaṁ jagat-sraṣṭre

pradhāna-puruṣeśvaraḥ

vyajyedaṁ svena rūpeṇa

kañja-nābhas tirodadhe

Translation

The sage Maitreya said: After instructing Brahmā, the creator of the universe, to expand, the primeval Lord, the Personality of Godhead in His personal form as Nārāyaṇa, disappeared.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Personal Form Exists Before Creation

  1. 1

    Brahmā saw the Lord before beginning his work of creating the universe. The Lord therefore existed in His personal form before the creation.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s eternal form is not created by Brahmā’s efforts. His form is not materially tinged.

  3. 3

    After instructing Brahmā, the Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, disappeared. He appeared before Brahmā as He is and disappeared in that same personal form.

Key points from the purport
  • When the creation awaited Brahmā’s activity, Brahmā saw the Lord, and therefore the Lord existed in His personal form before the creation.
  • His eternal form is not created by the attempt of Brahmā, as imagined by less intelligent men.
  • The Personality of Godhead appeared as He is before Brahmā, and He disappeared from him in the same form, which is not materially tinged.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācathe sage Maitreya said
  2. tasmaiunto him
  3. evamthus
  4. jagat-sraṣṭreunto the creator of the universe
  5. pradhāna-puruṣa-īśvaraḥthe primeval Lord, the Personality of Godhead
  6. vyajya idamafter instructing this
  7. svenain His person
  8. rūpeṇaby the form
  9. kañja-nābhaḥthe Personality of Godhead Nārāyaṇa
  10. tirodadhedisappeared
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materially”

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 does knowing that the Lord’s personal form is eternal deepen your devotion to Him?

Practice

Today, reread the translation and offer a brief prayer to Nārāyaṇa, remembering that His personal form exists before creation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Personal Form Exists Before CreationThis 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 3.9.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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