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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
5.20.435.20.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.44

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मृतेऽण्ड एष एतस्मिन् यदभूत्ततो मार्तण्ड इति व्यपदेश: ।

हिरण्यगर्भ इति यद्धिरण्याण्डसमुद्भ‍व: ॥ ४४ ॥

mṛte ’ṇḍa eṣa etasmin yad abhūt tato mārtaṇḍa iti vyapadeśaḥ; hiraṇyagarbha iti yad dhiraṇyāṇḍa-samudbhavaḥ.

Translation

The sun-god is also known as Vairāja, the total material body for all living entities. Because he entered this dull egg of the universe at the time of creation, he is also called Mārtaṇḍa. He is also known as Hiraṇyagarbha because he received his material body from Hiraṇyagarbha [Lord Brahmā].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Sun-God’s Names and Brahmā’s Position

  1. 1

    The sun-god is called Vairāja, the total material body for all living entities. He is called Mārtaṇḍa because he entered the dull egg of the universe at creation, and Hiraṇyagarbha because he received his material body from Lord Brahmā.

  2. 2

    Lord Brahmā’s post is meant for very highly elevated, spiritually advanced living beings. When such a being is unavailable, Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, very rarely expands Himself as Brahmā.

  3. 3

    The Brahmā spoken of here is an ordinary living being. In either case, Brahmā is known as Vairāja Brahmā and Hiraṇyagarbha Brahmā; therefore the sun-god is also accepted as Vairāja Brahmā.

Key points from the purport
  • When such living beings are unavailable, Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, expands Himself as Lord Brahmā.
  • Whether Brahmā is the Supreme Personality of Godhead or an ordinary living being, he is known as Vairāja Brahmā and Hiraṇyagarbha Brahmā.
  • Therefore the sun-god is also accepted as Vairāja Brahmā.

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:

The distance between the sun and the circumference of Aṇḍa-golaka, the globe of the universe, is estimated to be twenty-five koṭi yojanas (two billion miles). Because the sun enters the universe and divides the sky, it is known as Mārtaṇḍa, and because it is produced from Hiraṇyagarbha, the body of the mahat-tattva, it is also called Hiraṇyagarbha.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mṛtedead
  2. aṇḍein the globe
  3. eṣaḥthis
  4. etasminin this
  5. yatwhich
  6. abhūtentered personally at the time of creation
  7. tataḥfrom that
  8. mārtaṇḍaMārtaṇḍa
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the purport clarify the distinction between Brahmā’s post and the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining who usually occupies Brahmā’s post and what happens when no qualified living being is available.

Live this todayThe Sun-God’s Names and Brahmā’s PositionThis 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 5.20.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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