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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
3.1.373.1.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.38

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

कच्चिद्यशोधा रथयूथपानां

गाण्डीवधन्वोपरतारिरास्ते ।

अलक्षितो यच्छरकूटगूढो

मायाकिरातो गिरिशस्तुतोष ॥ ३८ ॥

kaccid yaśodhā ratha-yūthapānāṁ

gāṇḍīva-dhanvoparatārir āste

alakṣito yac-chara-kūṭa-gūḍho

māyā-kirāto giriśas tutoṣa

Translation

[Please tell me] whether Arjuna, whose bow bears the name Gāṇḍīva and who is always famous amongst the chariot warriors for vanquishing his enemies, is doing well. He once satisfied Lord Śiva by covering him with arrows when Śiva came as an unidentified false hunter.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Arjuna’s Strength Satisfied Lord Śiva

  1. 1

    Arjuna, whose bow is named Gāṇḍīva, was famous among chariot warriors for defeating his enemies. Vidura asks about his well-being.

  2. 2

    Lord Śiva tested Arjuna by confronting him over a hunted boar. He appeared disguised as a hunter.

  3. 3

    Arjuna covered Lord Śiva with arrows until Śiva was satisfied with his fighting. Śiva then blessed him and gave him the Pāśupati weapon.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śiva tested Arjuna’s strength by picking a quarrel with him over a hunted boar.
  • He confronted Arjuna in the false dress of a hunter, and Arjuna covered him with arrows until Lord Śiva was satisfied with Arjuna’s fighting.
  • Here Vidura inquired about the great warrior’s well-being.

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. yaśaḥ-dhāfamous
  3. ratha-yūthapānāmamongst the great chariot warriors
  4. gāṇḍīvaGāṇḍīva
  5. dhanvābow
  6. uparata-ariḥone who has vanquished the enemies
  7. āstedoing well
  8. alakṣitaḥwithout being identified
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “blessed”

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 does Vidura’s inquiry show concern for Arjuna beyond his achievements as a warrior?

Practice

Ask someone you admire for their abilities how they are actually doing.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayArjuna’s Strength Satisfied Lord ŚivaThis 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 3.1.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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