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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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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 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening
3.14.223.14.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.14.23

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

एषा घोरतमा वेला घोराणां घोरदर्शना ।

चरन्ति यस्यां भूतानि भूतेशानुचराणि ह ॥ २३ ॥

eṣā ghoratamā velā

ghorāṇāṁ ghora-darśanā

caranti yasyāṁ bhūtāni

bhūteśānucarāṇi ha

Translation

This particular time is most inauspicious because at this time the horrible-looking ghosts and constant companions of the lord of the ghosts are visible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Consider the Time Before Acting

  1. 1

    Kaśyapa describes this particular time as most inauspicious. Horrible-looking ghosts, companions of the lord of the ghosts, move about then.

  2. 2

    He has asked Diti to wait and now explains the danger of disregarding the time.

  3. 3

    The purport says that ignoring this warning will bring punishment from the ghosts and evil spirits who move with Lord Rudra.

Key points from the purport
  • Kaśyapa has already told his wife Diti to wait for a while, and now he warns her that failure to consider the particular time will result in punishment from the ghosts and evil spirits who move during this time, along with their master, Lord Rudra.

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. eṣāthis time
  2. ghora-tamāmost horrible
  3. velāperiod
  4. ghorāṇāmof the horrible
  5. ghora-darśanāhorrible looking
  6. carantimove
  7. yasyāmin which
  8. bhūtānighosts
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “companions”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “danger”

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 consider proper timing, or does my desire make every moment seem suitable?

Practice

Before acting on one strong desire today, check whether it would be better to wait.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConsider the Time Before ActingThis 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 3.14.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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