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
3.1.33.1.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 3.1.3inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न ह्यल्पार्थोदयस्तस्य विदुरस्यामलात्मन: ।

तस्मिन् वरीयसि प्रश्न: साधुवादोपबृंहित: ॥ ४ ॥

na hy alpārthodayas tasya

vidurasyāmalātmanaḥ

tasmin varīyasi praśnaḥ

sādhu-vādopabṛṁhitaḥ

Translation

Saint Vidura was a great and pure devotee of the Lord, and therefore his questions to His Grace Ṛṣi Maitreya must have been very purposeful, on the highest level, and approved by learned circles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Inquiry Leads Toward Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The spiritual value of questions and answers depends on the persons involved. As a pure devotee, Vidura asked highly purposeful questions approved by saints and sages.

  2. 2

    The discussion between Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person, and Arjuna, His devotee, is based on bhakti-yoga. Karma seeks the performer’s enjoyment, whereas karma-yoga is action for the Lord’s satisfaction.

  3. 3

    One should approach a bona fide spiritual master with genuine interest in spiritual understanding, not merely to follow a fashion. Mahārāja Parīkṣit was serious about learning the science of God.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord admitted Arjuna to be His devotee and friend (Bg. 4.3), and therefore any sane man can guess that the discussion was on the topic of the bhakti-yoga system.
  • According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one is advised to approach a bona fide spiritual master when one is actually inclined to question from an elevated level of spiritual understanding.
  • Both of them knew that the topics discussed by Vidura and Ṛṣi Maitreya were elevated, and thus Mahārāja Parīkṣit was very interested in learning from the bona fide spiritual master.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.1.4 quotesBG 4.3

The Lord admitted Arjuna to be His devotee and friend, and therefore any sane man can guess that the discussion was on the topic of the bhakti-yoga system.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. nanever
  2. hicertainly
  3. alpa-arthasmall (unimportant) purpose
  4. udayaḥraised
  5. tasyahis
  6. vidurasyaof Vidura
  7. amala-ātmanaḥof the saintly man
  8. tasminin that
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “grace”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “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 seeking spiritual knowledge to please the Lord or mainly to benefit myself?

Practice

Before one task today, pause and make pleasing the Lord your intention rather than seeking only your own enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Inquiry Leads Toward Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.1.4? 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