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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening
3.14.213.14.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.14.22

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

अथापि काममेतं ते प्रजात्यै करवाण्यलम् ।

यथा मां नातिरोचन्ति मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालय ॥ २२ ॥

athāpi kāmam etaṁ te

prajātyai karavāṇy alam

yathā māṁ nātirocanti

muhūrtaṁ pratipālaya

Translation

Even though it is not possible to repay you, I shall satisfy your sex desire immediately for the sake of begetting children. But you must wait for only a few seconds so that others may not reproach me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Willingness to Wait

  1. 1

    Kaśyapa agrees to satisfy his wife’s sexual desire for the sake of begetting children.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes this ordinary ability of a husband from the impossible task of fully repaying his wife.

  3. 3

    Although eager himself, Kaśyapa asks her to wait briefly so that others will not reproach him. His willingness does not mean acting without regard for the circumstances.

Key points from the purport
  • The henpecked husband may not be able to repay his wife for all the benefits that he derives from her, but as for begetting children by fulfilling sexual desire, it is not at all difficult for any husband unless he is thoroughly impotent.
  • This is a very easy task for a husband under normal conditions.
  • In spite of Kaśyapa’s being very eager, he requested her to wait for a few seconds so that others might not reproach him.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atha apieven though (it is not possible)
  2. kāmamthis sex desire
  3. etamas it is
  4. teyour
  5. prajātyaifor the sake of children
  6. karavāṇilet me do
  7. alamwithout delay
  8. yathāas
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 3.14

    In this verse: “children”

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 willing am I to accept a brief delay when there is a good reason to wait?

Practice

When you feel an urge to act immediately today, pause briefly and consider whether the circumstances are appropriate.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWillingness to WaitThis 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 3.14.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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