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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 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha
3.13.93.13.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.10

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.13.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एतावत्यात्मजैर्वीर कार्या ह्यपचितिर्गुरौ ।

शक्त्याप्रमत्तैर्गृह्येत सादरं गतमत्सरै: ॥ १० ॥

etāvaty ātmajair vīra

kāryā hy apacitir gurau

śaktyāpramattair gṛhyeta

sādaraṁ gata-matsaraiḥ

Translation

O hero, your example is quite befitting a son in relationship with his father. This sort of adoration for the superior is required. One who is beyond the limit of envy and who is sane accepts the order of his father with great delight and executes it to his full capacity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve Respectfully and Without Envy

  1. 1

    Brahmā praised Manu’s respectful obedience. One free from envy accepts a father’s order with delight and carries it out to full capacity.

  2. 2

    The four sages’ earlier refusal had distressed Brahmā, but their disobedience served a higher purpose. They were therefore free from its reaction.

  3. 3

    The purport distinguishes that higher purpose from disobedience on material grounds, which brings disciplinary reaction. Manu’s conduct is the example recommended for ordinary dealings.

Key points from the purport
  • When the four previous sons of Brahmā, the sages Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra, refused to obey their father, Brahmā was mortified, and his anger was manifested in the shape of Rudra.
  • From the material point of view, the four sages’ disobedience to the order of their father was certainly abominable, but because such disobedience was for a higher purpose, they were free from the reaction of disobedience.
  • Manu’s obedience to his father on material grounds was certainly free from envy, and in the material world it is imperative for ordinary men to follow the example of Manu.

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

Threat and anger → Rescue and wonder. Divine protection appears amid cosmic confrontation.

Chapters 13–19 of Canto 3: Varāha, Jaya and Vijaya, Hiraṇyākṣa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha

Lord Varāha appears from Brahmā’s nose, lifts the submerged earth, and receives the sages’ prayers.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvatījust exactly like this
  2. ātmajaiḥby the offspring
  3. vīraO hero
  4. kāryāshould be performed
  5. hicertainly
  6. apacitiḥworship
  7. gurauunto the superior
  8. śaktyāwith full capacity
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “father”, “father’s”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “distressed”

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

When receiving a reasonable instruction, do I respond with resentment or with willing respect?

Practice

Carry out one appropriate request from your father or a superior today with care and without resentment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Respectfully and Without EnvyThis 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 3.13.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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