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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
3.1.383.1.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.39

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

यमावुतस्वित्तनयौ पृथाया:

पार्थैर्वृतौ पक्ष्मभिरक्षिणीव ।

रेमात उद्दाय मृधे स्वरिक्थं

परात्सुपर्णाविव वज्रिवक्त्रात् ॥ ३९ ॥

yamāv utasvit tanayau pṛthāyāḥ

pārthair vṛtau pakṣmabhir akṣiṇīva

remāta uddāya mṛdhe sva-rikthaṁ

parāt suparṇāv iva vajri-vaktrāt

Translation

Are the twin brothers who are protected by their brothers doing well? Just as the eye is always protected by the eyelid, they are protected by the sons of Pṛthā, who snatched back their rightful kingdom from the hands of their enemy Duryodhana, just as Garuḍa snatched nectar from the mouth of Indra, the thunderbolt carrier.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotees Face Strength and Offer Protection

  1. 1

    Garuḍa took nectar from powerful Indra, and the Pāṇḍavas recovered their kingdom from powerful Duryodhana. As beloved devotees of the Lord, they could face such strong enemies.

  2. 2

    After Mādrī’s departure, Kuntī cared for Nakula and Sahadeva. Although they were stepbrothers of the other Pāṇḍavas, all five were known as regular brothers.

  3. 3

    The elder brothers protected the twins as eyelids protect the eyes. Vidura wanted to know whether the younger brothers were still living happily under their care.

Key points from the purport
  • Indra, the King of heaven, carries a thunderbolt in his hand and is very strong, yet Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, was able to snatch nectar from his mouth.
  • Similarly, Duryodhana was as strong as the King of heaven, and still the sons of Pṛthā, the Pāṇḍavas, were able to snatch away their kingdom from Duryodhana.
  • Vidura was anxious to know whether, after winning back their own kingdom from the hands of Duryodhana, the younger brothers were still living happily under the care of the elder brothers.

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. yamautwins (Nakula and Sahadeva)
  2. utasvitwhether
  3. tanayausons
  4. pṛthāyāḥof Pṛthā
  5. pārthaiḥby the sons of Pṛthā
  6. vṛtauprotected
  7. pakṣmabhiḥby the shields
  8. akṣiṇīof the eyes
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: “kingdom”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protected”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Who depends on my care, and do I take an interest in their happiness?

Practice

Check on one younger or dependent family member and offer a small, practical kindness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.1's connections

Live this todayDevotees Face Strength and Offer ProtectionThis 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 3.1.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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