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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
3.15.403.15.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.41

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 3.15.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

विद्युत्क्षिपन्मकरकुण्डलमण्डनार्ह-

गण्डस्थलोन्नसमुखं मणिमत्किरीटम् ।

दोर्दण्डषण्डविवरे हरता परार्ध्य-

हारेण कन्धरगतेन च कौस्तुभेन ॥ ४१ ॥

vidyut-kṣipan-makara-kuṇḍala-maṇḍanārha-

gaṇḍa-sthalonnasa-mukhaṁ maṇimat-kirīṭam

dor-daṇḍa-ṣaṇḍa-vivare haratā parārdhya-

hāreṇa kandhara-gatena ca kaustubhena

Translation

His countenance was distinguished by cheeks that enhanced the beauty of His alligator-shaped pendants, which outshone lightning. His nose was prominent, and His head was covered with a gem-studded crown. A charming necklace hung between His stout arms, and His neck was adorned with the gem known by the name Kaustubha.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Behold the Lord’s Beautiful Adornments

  1. 1

    The Lord’s cheeks enhanced the beauty of His alligator-shaped pendants, which outshone lightning.

  2. 2

    His nose was prominent, and a gem-studded crown covered His head.

  3. 3

    A charming necklace hung between His stout arms. His neck was also adorned with the gem called Kaustubha.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vidyutlightning
  2. kṣipatoutshining
  3. makaraalligator shaped
  4. kuṇḍalaearrings
  5. maṇḍanadecoration
  6. arhaas it fits
  7. gaṇḍa-sthalacheeks
  8. unnasaprominent nose
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

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 does attending to these details help me reflect on the Lord’s personal form?

Practice

Read the verse once slowly, pausing to remember the Lord’s crown, necklace and Kaustubha gem.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBehold the Lord’s Beautiful AdornmentsThis 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 3.15.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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