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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 1: Questions by Vidura
3.1.93.1.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.10

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.1.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदोपहूतो भवनं प्रविष्टो

मन्त्राय पृष्ट: किल पूर्वजेन ।

अथाह तन्मन्त्रद‍ृशां वरीयान्

यन्मन्त्रिणो वैदुरिकं वदन्ति ॥ १० ॥

yadopahūto bhavanaṁ praviṣṭo

mantrāya pṛṣṭaḥ kila pūrvajena

athāha tan mantra-dṛśāṁ varīyān

yan mantriṇo vaidurikaṁ vadanti

Translation

When Vidura was invited by his elder brother [Dhṛtarāṣṭra] for consultation, he entered the house and gave instructions which were exactly to the point. His advice is well known, and instructions by Vidura are approved by expert ministers of state.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Give Clear and Well-Considered Counsel

  1. 1

    Dhṛtarāṣṭra invited his younger brother Vidura for consultation.

  2. 2

    Vidura entered the house and offered instructions that were exactly to the point.

  3. 3

    Vidura’s political advice is recognized as expert and approved by ministers of state. The purport compares his authority in counsel with that of Paṇḍita Cāṇakya.

Key points from the purport
  • Political suggestions by Vidura are known as expert, just as, in modern times, Paṇḍita Cāṇakya is considered the authority in good counsel in both political and moral instructions.

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

Separation → Devotional remembrance. Uddhava's tears and silence make remembrance emotionally immediate.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 3: Vidura meets Uddhava and hears of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: Questions by Vidura

Vidura leaves home, travels to holy places, and asks Uddhava about Kṛṣṇa’s associates and his relatives.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. upahūtaḥwas called by
  3. bhavanamthe palace
  4. praviṣṭaḥentered
  5. mantrāyafor consultation
  6. pṛṣṭaḥasked by
  7. kilaof course
  8. pūrvajenaby the elder brother
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

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

When asked for advice, do I address the real issue clearly?

Practice

When someone asks for advice today, pause to understand the issue before offering a clear, relevant response.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

7

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 3.1's connections

Live this todayGive Clear and Well-Considered CounselThis 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 3.1.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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