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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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
3.15.193.15.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.20

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.15.12inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

यत्संकुलं हरिपदानतिमात्रद‍ृष्टै-

र्वैदूर्यमारकतहेममयैर्विमानै: ।

येषां बृहत्कटितटा: स्मितशोभिमुख्य:

कृष्णात्मनां न रज आदधुरुत्स्मयाद्यै: ॥ २० ॥

yat saṅkulaṁ hari-padānati-mātra-dṛṣṭair

vaidūrya-mārakata-hema-mayair vimānaiḥ

yeṣāṁ bṛhat-kaṭi-taṭāḥ smita-śobhi-mukhyaḥ

kṛṣṇātmanāṁ na raja ādadhur utsmayādyaiḥ

Translation

The inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha travel in their airplanes made of lapis lazuli, emerald and gold. Although crowded by their consorts, who have large hips and beautiful smiling faces, they cannot be stimulated to passion by their mirth and beautiful charms.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Gives a Higher Pleasure

  1. 1

    The residents of Vaikuṇṭha have airplanes and ornaments made of precious materials. Their opulence comes through the Lord’s benediction, not through hard material labor.

  2. 2

    Although their consorts are very beautiful, the residents are so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness that this beauty does not stimulate sexual passion.

  3. 3

    There is association between the sexes, but no sexual relationship. The residents have a higher standard of pleasure and therefore no need for sex pleasure.

Key points from the purport
  • In other words, devotees in the Vaikuṇṭha world, or even in this material world, cannot be poverty-stricken, as is sometimes supposed.
  • It is also stated that in the Vaikuṇṭha world the consorts of the residents are many, many times more beautiful than we can find in this material world, even in the higher planets.
  • The residents of Vaikuṇṭha have a better standard of pleasure, so there is no need of sex pleasure.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 11.24.14

Although crowded by their consorts, who have large hips and beautiful smiling faces, they cannot be stimulated to passion by their mirth and beautiful charms.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. yatthat Vaikuṇṭha abode
  2. saṅkulamis pervaded
  3. hari-padaat the two lotus feet of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. ānatiby obeisances
  5. mātrasimply
  6. dṛṣṭaiḥare obtained
  7. vaidūryalapis lazuli
  8. mārakataemeralds
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “materials”

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 give more attention to the higher pleasure of Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to turn your attention away from bodily attraction and toward Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Consciousness Gives a Higher PleasureThis 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 3.15.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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