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
3.1.243.1.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.25

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

स वासुदेवानुचरं प्रशान्तं

बृहस्पते: प्राक् तनयं प्रतीतम् ।

आलिङ्ग्‍य गाढं प्रणयेन भद्रं

स्वानामपृच्छद्भगवत्प्रजानाम् ॥ २५ ॥

sa vāsudevānucaraṁ praśāntaṁ

bṛhaspateḥ prāk tanayaṁ pratītam

āliṅgya gāḍhaṁ praṇayena bhadraṁ

svānām apṛcchad bhagavat-prajānām

Translation

Then, due to his great love and feeling, Vidura embraced him [Uddhava], who was a constant companion of Lord Kṛṣṇa and formerly a great student of Bṛhaspati’s. Vidura then asked him for news of the family of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Affection and Respect Between Devotees

  1. 1

    Uddhava respected Vidura like a father and bowed before him. Vidura embraced Uddhava with the affection of a father for a son.

  2. 2

    Uddhava was a constant companion of Lord Kṛṣṇa and a great scholar in logic. He was known as a son or disciple of Bṛhaspati.

  3. 3

    Vidura asked about his relatives although he had already heard of their deaths. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains that the shocking news led him to inquire again.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidura was older than Uddhava, like a father, and therefore when the two met, Uddhava bowed down before Vidura, and Vidura embraced him because Uddhava was younger, like a son.
  • According to social custom, therefore, Vidura was to be respected by Uddhava on the level of his father.
  • This inquiry appears to be very queer, but Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī states that the news was shocking to Vidura, who therefore inquired again due to great curiosity.

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. saḥhe, Vidura
  2. vāsudevaLord Kṛṣṇa
  3. anucaramconstant companion
  4. praśāntamvery sober and gentle
  5. bṛhaspateḥof Bṛhaspati, the learned spiritual master of the demigods
  6. prākformerly
  7. tanayamson or disciple
  8. pratītamacknowledged
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “companion”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “love”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “heard”

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 can I respond more gently when someone repeats a question after receiving painful news?

Practice

Listen patiently today if someone needs to speak again about a painful concern.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection and Respect Between DevoteesThis 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 3.1.25? 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