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

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Canto 6 · Prescribed Duties for Mankind · 19 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 6 · Chapter 4: The Haṁsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajāpati Dakṣa
6.4.476.4.49-50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 6.4.48

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 6.4.43inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

मय्यनन्तगुणेऽनन्ते गुणतो गुणविग्रह: ।

यदासीत्तत एवाद्य: स्वयम्भू: समभूदज: ॥ ४८ ॥

mayy ananta-guṇe ’nante

guṇato guṇa-vigrahaḥ

yadāsīt tata evādyaḥ

svayambhūḥ samabhūd ajaḥ

Translation

I am the reservoir of unlimited potency, and therefore I am known as unlimited or all-pervading. From My material energy the cosmic manifestation appeared within Me, and in this universal manifestation appeared the chief being, Lord Brahmā, who is your source and is not born of a material mother.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Is the Unlimited First Cause

  1. 1

    The first cause of creation is the Lord Himself, the Supreme Person. The cosmic manifestation appears within Him through His material energy.

  2. 2

    Lord Brahmā appears within the universe without being born of a material mother. He takes charge of the affairs of the universe.

  3. 3

    The Lord has innumerable potencies, and each is unlimited. His qualities, forms, pastimes and paraphernalia are also unlimited; therefore Lord Viṣṇu is known as Ananta.

Key points from the purport
  • The universal affairs of the material creation depend upon the material energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is therefore the cause of the material creation.
  • From the cosmic universal form, the first creation is Lord Brahmā, who is the cause of all living entities.
  • Therefore the Lord Himself and all His qualities, forms, pastimes and paraphernalia are also unlimited.

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

Anger and conflict → Spiritual commitment. Competing understandings of duty create relational tension.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 6: Dakṣa, Nārada and the consequences of preaching. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Haṁsa-guhya Prayers Offered to the Lord by Prajāpati Dakṣa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Understanding that Dakṣa was very eager to follow the path of enjoyment, the Lord awarded him the potency to enjoy the illusory energy. The Lord offered him the daughter of Pañcajana named Asiknī, who was suitable for Mahārāja Dakṣa to enjoy in sex.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 6.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mayiin Me
  2. ananta-guṇepossessing unlimited potency
  3. ananteunlimited
  4. guṇataḥfrom My potency known as māyā
  5. guṇa-vigrahaḥthe universe, which is a result of the modes of nature
  6. yadāwhen
  7. āsītit came into existence
  8. tataḥtherein
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 6.4

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 6.4

    In this verse: “mother”

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 understanding the Lord as the first cause change my view of the universe?

Practice

Write one sentence acknowledging that the universe depends on the Supreme Lord’s energy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Is the Unlimited First CauseThis 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 6.4.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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