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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
3.13.483.13.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.49

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.13.46inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तस्मिन् प्रसन्ने सकलाशिषां प्रभौ

किं दुर्लभं ताभिरलं लवात्मभि: ।

अनन्यद‍ृष्टय‍ा भजतां गुहाशय:

स्वयं विधत्ते स्वगतिं पर: पराम् ॥ ४९ ॥

tasmin prasanne sakalāśiṣāṁ prabhau

kiṁ durlabhaṁ tābhir alaṁ lavātmabhiḥ

ananya-dṛṣṭyā bhajatāṁ guhāśayaḥ

svayaṁ vidhatte sva-gatiṁ paraḥ parām

Translation

Nothing remains unachieved when the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased with someone. By transcendental achievement one understands everything else to be insignificant. One who engages in transcendental loving service is elevated to the highest perfectional stage by the Lord Himself, who is seated in everyone’s heart.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Service Invites the Lord’s Guidance

  1. 1

    The Lord gives pure devotees the intelligence and knowledge needed to reach Him. For such devotees, nothing is more valuable than His service.

  2. 2

    When one serves faithfully, the Lord Himself takes charge of the devotee’s advancement. Seated in everyone’s heart, He knows each person’s motive.

  3. 3

    Seeking material gains under the appearance of devotion does not lead to the highest perfection. One must become sincere in purpose, and the Lord is there to help in every way.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), the Lord gives intelligence to the pure devotees so that they may be elevated to the highest perfectional stage.
  • It is confirmed herein that a pure devotee, who constantly engages in the loving service of the Lord, is awarded all knowledge necessary to reach the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In other words, the pseudo devotee, who is anxious to achieve material gains, cannot attain the highest perfectional stage because the Lord is in knowledge of his motive.

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 3.13.49 quotesBG 10.10

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), the Lord gives intelligence to the pure devotees so that they may be elevated to the highest perfectional stage.

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

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. tasminunto Him
  2. prasannebeing pleased
  3. sakala-āśiṣāmof all benediction
  4. prabhauunto the Lord
  5. kimwhat is that
  6. durlabhamvery difficult to obtain
  7. tābhiḥwith them
  8. alamaway
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “understands”, “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.13

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 seek the Lord’s service itself, or mainly the material benefits I hope to receive?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and ask to serve sincerely rather than for material gain.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Service Invites the Lord’s GuidanceThis 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.

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