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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 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 5 · Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
5.20.325.20.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत्तत्कर्ममयं लिङ्गं ब्रह्मलिङ्गं जनोऽर्चयेत् ।

एकान्तमद्वयं शान्तं तस्मै भगवते नम इति ॥ ३३ ॥

yat tat karmamayaṁ liṅgaṁ

brahma-liṅgaṁ jano ’rcayet

ekāntam advayaṁ śāntaṁ

tasmai bhagavate nama iti

Translation

Lord Brahmā is known as karma-maya, the form of ritualistic ceremonies, because by performing ritualistic ceremonies one may attain his position and because the Vedic ritualistic hymns become manifest from him. He is devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead without deviation, and therefore in one sense he is not different from the Lord. Nevertheless, he should be worshiped not as the monists worship him, but in duality. One should always remain a servitor of the Supreme Lord, the supreme worshipable Deity. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Lord Brahmā, the form of manifest Vedic knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Always Remain the Lord’s Servant

  1. 1

    Strictly following varṇāśrama-dharma for at least one hundred births can lead to the post of Lord Brahmā. Thus his position is obtainable through the Vedic ritualistic system.

  2. 2

    Although extremely powerful, Brahmā never thinks himself one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He always knows himself to be the Lord’s eternal servant.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When a devotee serves Him with full faith, the meaning of Vedic literature is revealed; Brahmā’s entire form consists of Vedic knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • It is also significant that although Lord Brahmā is extremely powerful, he never thinks himself one with the Supreme Personality of Godhead; he always knows that he is an eternal servitor of the Lord.
  • Bhagavān is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, but if a devotee serves Him with full faith, the meaning of the Vedic literature is revealed to him.
  • Therefore Brahmā is called brahma-liṅga, which indicates that his entire form consists of Vedic knowledge.

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

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Its inhabitants worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Vāyu, air. The sixth island, Puṣkaradvīpa, which is twice as wide as the previous island, is surrounded by an ocean of clear water.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhich
  2. tatthat
  3. karma-mayamobtainable by the Vedic ritualistic system
  4. liṅgamthe form
  5. brahma-liṅgamwhich makes known the Supreme Brahman
  6. janaḥa person
  7. arcayetmust worship
  8. ekāntamwho has full faith in the one Supreme
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotee”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “varṇāśrama-dharma”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can Brahmā’s attitude help me remain a servant rather than seek importance?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and remember that you are serving Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayAlways Remain the Lord’s ServantThis 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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