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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 3.15.35

Who is speaking and story frame

तेषामितीरितमुभाववधार्य घोरं

तं ब्रह्मदण्डमनिवारणमस्त्रपूगै: ।

सद्यो हरेरनुचरावुरु बिभ्यतस्तत्-

पादग्रहावपततामतिकातरेण ॥ ३५ ॥

teṣām itīritam ubhāv avadhārya ghoraṁ

taṁ brahma-daṇḍam anivāraṇam astra-pūgaiḥ

sadyo harer anucarāv uru bibhyatas tat-

pāda-grahāv apatatām atikātareṇa

Translation

When the doormen of Vaikuṇṭhaloka, who were certainly devotees of the Lord, found that they were going to be cursed by the brāhmaṇas, they at once became very much afraid and fell down at the feet of the brāhmaṇas in great anxiety, for a brāhmaṇa’s curse cannot be counteracted by any kind of weapon.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Gravity of Offending Devotees

  1. 1

    The doormen were certainly devotees of the Lord, yet they made a mistake by stopping the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    The purport states that the greatest offense is to offend a devotee of the Lord. Being devotees themselves, the doormen understood their mistake.

  3. 3

    Recognizing the gravity of the curse, they became terrified and fell at the brāhmaṇas’ feet. No weapon could counteract a brāhmaṇa’s curse.

Key points from the purport
  • Although, by chance, the doormen committed a mistake by checking the brāhmaṇas from entering the gate of Vaikuṇṭha, they were at once aware of the gravity of the curse.
  • There are many kinds of offenses, but the greatest offense is to offend a devotee of the Lord.
  • Because the doormen were also devotees of the Lord, they were able to understand their mistake and were terrified when the four Kumāras were ready to curse them.

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. teṣāmof the four Kumāras
  2. itithus
  3. īritamuttered
  4. ubhauboth doorkeepers
  5. avadhāryaunderstanding
  6. ghoramterrible
  7. tamthat
  8. brahma-daṇḍamcurse of a brāhmaṇa
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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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “afraid”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “offense”, “offend”

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 readily do you acknowledge a mistake when you have treated a devotee disrespectfully?

Practice

Review one recent interaction with a devotee; if you recognize disrespect in your conduct, offer a sincere apology.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Gravity of Offending DevoteesThis 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 3.15.35? Get an answer from the verses themselves.