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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
3.1.353.1.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.36

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.1.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अपि स्वदोर्भ्यां विजयाच्युताभ्यां

धर्मेण धर्म: परिपाति सेतुम् ।

दुर्योधनोऽतप्यत यत्सभायां

साम्राज्यलक्ष्म्या विजयानुवृत्त्या ॥ ३६ ॥

api sva-dorbhyāṁ vijayācyutābhyāṁ

dharmeṇa dharmaḥ paripāti setum

duryodhano ’tapyata yat-sabhāyāṁ

sāmrājya-lakṣmyā vijayānuvṛttyā

Translation

Also let me inquire whether Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira is now maintaining the kingdom according to religious principles and with respect for the path of religion. Formerly Duryodhana was burning with envy because Yudhiṣṭhira was being protected by the arms of Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna as if they were his own arms.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Leadership Should Uphold Religious Principles

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was the emblem of religion. Vidura asks whether he is maintaining the kingdom according to religious principles.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna protected Yudhiṣṭhira as if They were his own arms. With Their help, his kingdom’s opulence surpassed even imagined heavenly wealth.

  3. 3

    Duryodhana’s envy led to schemes against Yudhiṣṭhira and finally to the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Afterward, Yudhiṣṭhira regained his legitimate kingdom and restored honor and respect for religion.

Key points from the purport
  • When he was ruling his kingdom with the help of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, the opulence of his kingdom surpassed all imaginations of the opulence of the kingdom of heaven.
  • His actual arms were Lord Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, and thus he surpassed everyone’s opulence.
  • After the Battle of Kurukṣetra, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was again able to rule his legitimate kingdom, and he reinstated the principles of honor and respect for religion.

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. apias also
  2. sva-dorbhyāmown arms
  3. vijayaArjuna
  4. acyutā-bhyāmalong with Śrī Kṛṣṇa
  5. dharmeṇaon religious principles
  6. dharmaḥKing Yudhiṣṭhira
  7. paripātimaintains
  8. setumthe respect of religion
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “religion”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “kingdom”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “protected”

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 use the responsibilities entrusted to me to uphold religious principles?

Practice

Review one responsibility today and choose a way to fulfill it with greater respect for religious principles.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLeadership Should Uphold Religious PrinciplesThis 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 3.1.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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