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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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
3.15.103.15.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.15.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

स प्रहस्य महाबाहो भगवान् शब्दगोचर: ।

प्रत्याचष्टात्मभूर्देवान् प्रीणन् रुचिरया गिरा ॥ ११ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sa prahasya mahā-bāho

bhagavān śabda-gocaraḥ

pratyācaṣṭātma-bhūr devān

prīṇan rucirayā girā

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: Thus Lord Brahmā, who is understood by transcendental vibration, tried to satisfy the demigods, being pleased with their words of prayer.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reply With Understanding and Kindness

  1. 1

    Lord Brahmā understood the misdeeds of Diti and smiled at the whole situation.

  2. 2

    He was pleased with the demigods’ words of prayer and tried to satisfy them.

  3. 3

    Brahmā replied in words the demigods could understand.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā could understand the misdeeds of Diti, and therefore he smiled at the whole situation.
  • He replied to the demigods present there in words they could understand.

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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God

Brahmā describes Vaikuṇṭha, where the Kumāras curse two doorkeepers and then behold the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. saḥhe
  3. prahasyasmiling
  4. mahā-bāhoO mighty-armed (Vidura)
  5. bhagavānthe possessor of all opulences
  6. śabda-gocaraḥwho is understood by transcendental sound vibration
  7. pratyācaṣṭareplied
  8. ātma-bhūḥLord Brahmā
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “understand”

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 make my words easier for another person to understand?

Practice

When answering someone today, choose simple, kind words that suit their understanding.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReply With Understanding and KindnessThis 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 3.15.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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