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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 1: Questions by Vidura
3.1.323.1.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.33

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

कच्चिच्छिवं देवकभोजपुत्र्या

विष्णुप्रजाया इव देवमातु: ।

या वै स्वगर्भेण दधार देवं

त्रयी यथा यज्ञवितानमर्थम् ॥ ३३ ॥

kaccic chivaṁ devaka-bhoja-putryā

viṣṇu-prajāyā iva deva-mātuḥ

yā vai sva-garbheṇa dadhāra devaṁ

trayī yathā yajña-vitānam artham

Translation

As the Vedas are the reservoir of sacrificial purposes, so the daughter of King Devaka-bhoja conceived the Supreme Personality of Godhead in her womb, as did the mother of the demigods. Is she [Devakī] doing well?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is the Purpose of the Vedas

  1. 1

    The Vedas are full of transcendental knowledge and spiritual values. Their aim is understanding the Lord.

  2. 2

    Devakī conceived Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in her womb. He is the personified meaning of the Vedas.

  3. 3

    There is no difference between the Vedas and the Lord. Devakī is compared to the meaningful Vedas, and the Lord to their purpose personified.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas are full of transcendental knowledge and spiritual values, and thus Devakī, the mother of Lord Kṛṣṇa, conceived the Lord in her womb as the personified meaning of the Vedas.
  • There is no difference between the Vedas and the Lord.
  • Devakī is compared to the meaningful Vedas, and the Lord to their purpose personified.

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. kaccitwhether
  2. śivameverything well
  3. devaka-bhoja-putryāḥof the daughter of King Devaka-bhoja
  4. viṣṇu-prajāyāḥof she who gave birth to the Personality of Godhead
  5. ivalike that of
  6. deva-mātuḥof the mother of the demigods (Aditi)
  7. yāone who
  8. vaiindeed
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: “king”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

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

Am I approaching spiritual knowledge as a way to understand the Lord?

Practice

Reread the translation once, keeping in mind that Kṛṣṇa is the purpose of the Vedas.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is the Purpose of the VedasThis 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 3.1.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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