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 13: The Appearance of Lord Varāha
3.13.493.14.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.13.50

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

को नाम लोके पुरुषार्थसारवित्

पुराकथानां भगवत्कथासुधाम् ।

आपीय कर्णाञ्जलिभिर्भवापहा-

महो विरज्येत विना नरेतरम् ॥ ५० ॥

ko nāma loke puruṣārtha-sāravit

purā-kathānāṁ bhagavat-kathā-sudhām

āpīya karṇāñjalibhir bhavāpahām

aho virajyeta vinā naretaram

Translation

Who, other than one who is not a human being, can exist in this world and not be interested in the ultimate goal of life? Who can refuse the nectar of narrations about the Personality of Godhead’s activities, which by itself can deliver one from all material pangs?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Begins Life’s Highest Goal

  1. 1

    Devotional service to the Lord is the highest goal of human life. It begins by hearing about the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Narrations of the Lord’s activities are like a constant flow of nectar. Unlike ordinary stories and histories, they can diminish the burden of material suffering.

  3. 3

    One who is serious about ending material existence must chant and hear about the Lord’s transcendental activities. Refusing interest in this message neglects the purpose of human life.

Key points from the purport
  • The narration of the activities of the Personality of Godhead is like a constant flow of nectar.
  • Devotional service to the Lord is the highest goal of life for every human being, and such devotional service begins by hearing about the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.
  • Therefore one who is serious about eliminating material existence must chant and hear of the transcendental activities of the Personality of Godhead.

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. kaḥwho
  2. nāmaindeed
  3. lokein the world
  4. puruṣa-arthagoal of life
  5. sāra-vitone who knows the essence of
  6. purā-kathānāmof all past histories
  7. bhagavatregarding the Personality of Godhead
  8. kathā-sudhāmthe nectar of the narrations about the Personality of Godhead
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 3.13

    In this verse: “narrations”, “chant”, “hearing”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

What place does hearing about the Lord have in my pursuit of life’s highest goal?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to read aloud and hear a narration of the Lord’s transcendental activities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Begins Life’s Highest GoalThis 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 3.13.50? 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