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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
3.1.83.1.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.1.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.1.6inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदा च पार्थप्रहित: सभायां

जगद्गुरुर्यानि जगाद कृष्ण: ।

न तानि पुंसाममृतायनानि

राजोरु मेने क्षतपुण्यलेश: ॥ ९ ॥

yadā ca pārtha-prahitaḥ sabhāyāṁ

jagad-gurur yāni jagāda kṛṣṇaḥ

na tāni puṁsām amṛtāyanāni

rājoru mene kṣata-puṇya-leśaḥ

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa was sent by Arjuna into the assembly as the spiritual master of the whole world, and although His words were heard by some [like Bhīṣma] as pure nectar, it was not so for the others, who were completely bereft of the last farthing of past pious works. The King [Dhṛtarāṣṭra or Duryodhana] did not take the words of Lord Kṛṣṇa very seriously.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Kṛṣṇa’s Words as Nectar

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s Lord and the spiritual master of the entire universe. Yet out of friendship with Arjuna, He gladly accepted the role of messenger on a peace mission.

  2. 2

    Bhīṣma and other great leaders relished His message because the Lord Himself spoke it. This shows the beauty of His relationship with His pure devotees.

  3. 3

    Duryodhana or Dhṛtarāṣṭra did not take His message seriously because their past pious results were exhausted. Godhead’s message is always nectar to devotees, but nondevotees receive it in the opposite way.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the spiritual master of the entire universe, accepted the duty of a messenger and, deputed by Arjuna, went to the assembly of King Dhṛtarāṣṭra on a peace mission.
  • Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s Lord, yet because He was the transcendental friend of Arjuna, He gladly accepted the role of messenger, exactly like an ordinary friend.
  • But due to the exhaustion of the pious results of their past deeds, Duryodhana, or his father, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, did not take the message very seriously.

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. yadāwhen
  2. caalso
  3. pārtha-prahitaḥbeing advised by Arjuna
  4. sabhāyāmin the assembly
  5. jagat-guruḥthe teacher of the world
  6. yānithose
  7. jagādawent
  8. kṛṣṇaḥLord Kṛṣṇa
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.1

    In this verse: “friendship”

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 receive Kṛṣṇa’s guidance with appreciation, or dismiss what I do not wish to hear?

Practice

Reread this verse and pause to appreciate Kṛṣṇa’s willingness to serve as His devotee’s messenger.

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 todayReceive Kṛṣṇa’s Words as NectarThis 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 3.1.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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