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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 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening
3.14.103.14.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.14.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.14.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तद्भवान्दह्यमानायां सपत्नीनां समृद्धिभि: ।

प्रजावतीनां भद्रं ते मय्यायुङ्क्तामनुग्रहम् ॥ ११ ॥

tad bhavān dahyamānāyāṁ

sa-patnīnāṁ samṛddhibhiḥ

prajāvatīnāṁ bhadraṁ te

mayy āyuṅktām anugraham

Translation

Therefore you should be kind towards me by showing me complete mercy. I desire to have sons, and I am much distressed by seeing the opulence of my co-wives. By performing this act, you will become happy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Distinguish Duty From Sense Gratification

  1. 1

    The purport explains that sexual intercourse for begetting children is righteous, while sex simply for sense gratification is unrighteous.

  2. 2

    Diti desired sons and felt poorer than her co-wives because she had none. Her appeal was not simply an expression of sexual desire.

  3. 3

    Diti asked her husband for mercy in her distress. As her husband, Kaśyapa was expected to satisfy his bona fide wife.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhagavad-gītā sexual intercourse for begetting children is accepted as righteous.
  • Since she had no sons, she felt poorer than her co-wives.
  • Therefore Kaśyapa was supposed to satisfy his bona fide wife.

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 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening

Diti desires sons, her husband performs a forbidden act, and their sons’ destruction by the Lord is foretold.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.14
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. bhavānyour good self
  3. dahyamānāyāmbeing distressed
  4. sa-patnīnāmof the co-wives
  5. samṛddhibhiḥby the prosperity
  6. prajā-vatīnāmof those who have children
  7. bhadramall prosperity
  8. teunto you
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “distressed”, “distress”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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 distinguish a genuine responsibility from a desire for sense gratification?

Practice

Examine one desire today and write whether it serves a responsibility or simply seeks personal enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDistinguish Duty From Sense GratificationThis 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 3.14.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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