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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.14.30

Who is speaking and story frame

मैत्रेय उवाच

सैवं संविदिते भर्त्रा मन्मथोन्मथितेन्द्रिया ।

जग्राह वासो ब्रह्मर्षेर्वृषलीव गतत्रपा ॥ ३० ॥

maitreya uvāca

saivaṁ saṁvidite bhartrā

manmathonmathitendriyā

jagrāha vāso brahmarṣer

vṛṣalīva gata-trapā

Translation

Maitreya said: Diti was thus informed by her husband, but she was pressed by Cupid for sexual satisfaction. She caught hold of the clothing of the great brāhmaṇa sage, just like a shameless public prostitute.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strong Desire Can Overpower Good Counsel

  1. 1

    Although her husband had informed her, Diti remained pressed by sexual desire. She caught hold of the great brāhmaṇa sage’s clothing without restraint.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes scripturally regulated married life from sexual conduct driven solely by a strong urge.

  3. 3

    Even the enlightened sage Kaśyapa became overwhelmed in this situation. The purport emphasizes the strong force of material energy.

Key points from the purport
  • The difference between a married wife and a public prostitute is that one is restrained in sex life by the rules and regulations of the scriptures, whereas the other is unrestricted in sex life and is conducted solely by the strong sex urge.
  • Although very enlightened, Kaśyapa, the great sage, became a victim of his prostitute wife.
  • Such is the strong force of material energy.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. sāshe
  3. evamthus
  4. saṁviditein spite of being informed
  5. bhartrāby her husband
  6. manmathaby Cupid
  7. unmathitabeing pressed
  8. indriyāsenses
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

When desire becomes strong, do I still listen to sound guidance?

Practice

When a strong urge arises today, pause and recall one relevant instruction before choosing how to act.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrong Desire Can Overpower Good CounselThis 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 3.14.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.