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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
3.13.43.13.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.5

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.13.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीशुक उवाच

इति ब्रुवाणं विदुरं विनीतं

सहस्रशीर्ष्णश्चरणोपधानम् ।

प्रहृष्टरोमा भगवत्कथायां

प्रणीयमानो मुनिरभ्यचष्ट ॥ ५ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti bruvāṇaṁ viduraṁ vinītaṁ

sahasra-śīrṣṇaś caraṇopadhānam

prahṛṣṭa-romā bhagavat-kathāyāṁ

praṇīyamāno munir abhyacaṣṭa

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, was pleased to place His lotus feet on the lap of Vidura because Vidura was very meek and gentle. The sage Maitreya was very pleased with Vidura’s words, and, being influenced by his spirit, he attempted to speak.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gentle Devotion Pleases Śrī Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was pleased by Vidura’s meek and gentle nature. He sometimes dined at Vidura’s home and rested His lotus feet on Vidura’s lap.

  2. 2

    The qualification sahasra-śīrṣṇaḥ refers to diverse energies and activities and a wonderful brain. The purport says it applies only to Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Thinking of Vidura’s wonderful fortune inspired Maitreya. With his hairs standing on end, he delighted in narrating topics of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • This qualification is applicable only to the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and no one else.
  • The Personality of Godhead was pleased to dine sometimes with Vidura at his home, and while resting He placed His lotus feet on the lap of Vidura.
  • The hairs of his body stood on end, and he was pleased to narrate the topics of the Personality of Godhead with great delight.

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

Quoted in the purport ofCC Antya 19.70

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.13.5).

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. bruvāṇamspeaking
  4. viduramunto Vidura
  5. vinītamvery gentle
  6. sahasra-śīrṣṇaḥthe Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa
  7. caraṇalotus feet
  8. upadhānampillow
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

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

How can I bring more meekness and gentleness into my devotional life?

Practice

In one conversation today, speak gently and listen without interrupting.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGentle Devotion Pleases Śrī KṛṣṇaThis 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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