1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.1.193.1.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.1.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

इत्थं व्रजन् भारतमेव वर्षं

कालेन यावद्‍गतवान् प्रभासम् ।

तावच्छशास क्षितिमेकचक्रा-

मेकातपत्रामजितेन पार्थ: ॥ २० ॥

itthaṁ vrajan bhāratam eva varṣaṁ

kālena yāvad gatavān prabhāsam

tāvac chaśāsa kṣitim eka cakrām

ekātapatrām ajitena pārthaḥ

Translation

Thus, when he was in the land of Bhāratavarṣa traveling to all the places of pilgrimage, he visited Prabhāsakṣetra. At that time Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was the emperor and held the world under one military strength and one flag.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Unity Requires Kṛṣṇa’s Favor

  1. 1

    While traveling through Bhāratavarṣa, Vidura visited Prabhāsakṣetra. At that time Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira ruled the world.

  2. 2

    The world stood under one flag and one military strength by the grace of Ajita, Lord Kṛṣṇa. The purport attributes this unity to His favor.

  3. 3

    Nations may desire one worldwide state, but political ambition alone cannot bring it about. They must seek Lord Kṛṣṇa’s favor, for He alone can help them achieve such unity.

Key points from the purport
  • More than five thousand years ago, while Saint Vidura was traveling the earth as a pilgrim, India was known as Bhāratavarṣa, as it is known even today.
  • The history of the world cannot give any systematic account for more than three thousand years into the past, but before that the whole world was under the flag and military strength of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, who was the emperor of the world.
  • The nations of the world are very eager to again have one state under one flag, but for this they must seek the favor of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who alone can help us become one worldwide nation.

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. itthamlike this
  2. vrajanwhile traveling
  3. bhāratamIndia
  4. evaonly
  5. varṣamthe tract of land
  6. kālenain due course of time
  7. yāvatwhen
  8. gatavānvisited
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “emperor”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “grace”, “favor”

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

Do I think of unity only in political terms, or also recognize dependence on Kṛṣṇa’s favor?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking Lord Kṛṣṇa for His favor in helping the world become united.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Unity Requires Kṛṣṇa’s FavorThis 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 3.1.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories