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

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 7 · Chapter 3: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Plan to Become Immortal
7.3.26-277.3.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.3.28

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.3.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

नम आद्याय बीजाय ज्ञानविज्ञानमूर्तये ।

प्राणेन्द्रियमनोबुद्धिविकारैर्व्यक्तिमीयुषे ॥ २८ ॥

nama ādyāya bījāya

jñāna-vijñāna-mūrtaye

prāṇendriya-mano-buddhi-

vikārair vyaktim īyuṣe

Translation

I offer my obeisances to the original personality within this universe, Lord Brahmā, who is cognizant and who can apply his mind and realized intelligence in creating this cosmic manifestation. It is because of his activities that everything within the universe is visible. He is therefore the cause of all manifestations.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brahmā Depends on Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The Supreme Absolute Person is Kṛṣṇa, not Brahmā. Brahmā receives his mind, intelligence, materials, and everything else from Kṛṣṇa.

  2. 2

    Although Brahmā is the first created living being, he is not independent. The Supreme Personality of Godhead gives him knowledge and intelligence directly through his heart.

  3. 3

    There are millions of universes, each with its own Brahmā. Kṛṣṇa is the original source of all these engineers.

Key points from the purport
  • There is no one but Brahmā at the time of creation, and therefore he receives his intelligence directly from the Lord through the heart.
  • Therefore when Kṛṣṇa inquired from His servant which Brahmā was at the door to visit, Lord Brahmā was surprised.
  • Thus although there is a Brahmā who is the engineer of each universe, Kṛṣṇa is the original source of all of them.

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

Pride and rage → Oppression. The ruler's power intensifies his insecurity.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 7: Hiraṇyakaśipu's ascent and intimidation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Plan to Become Immortal

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Hiraṇyakaśipu, the King of the Daityas, bowed down before Lord Brahmā, the creator of this universe, offering respectful obeisances again and again and offering prayers.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.3
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. namaḥI offer my respectful obeisances
  2. ādyāyaunto the original living creature
  3. bījāyathe seed of the cosmic manifestation
  4. jñānaof knowledge
  5. vijñānaand of practical application
  6. mūrtayeunto the deity or form
  7. prāṇaof the life air
  8. indriyaof the senses
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.3

    In this verse: “materials”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.3

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can Brahmā’s dependence on Kṛṣṇa help me become less proud of my own intelligence?

Practice

Before a task requiring thought, pause and acknowledge that intelligence ultimately comes from Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.3's connections

Live this todayBrahmā Depends on KṛṣṇaThis 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 7.3.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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