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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
3.15.423.15.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.43

Mukti· Liberation
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

तस्यारविन्दनयनस्य पदारविन्द-

किञ्जल्कमिश्रतुलसीमकरन्दवायु: ।

अन्तर्गत: स्वविवरेण चकार तेषां

सङ्‌क्षोभमक्षरजुषामपि चित्ततन्वो: ॥ ४३ ॥

tasyāravinda-nayanasya padāravinda-

kiñjalka-miśra-tulasī-makaranda-vāyuḥ

antar-gataḥ sva-vivareṇa cakāra teṣāṁ

saṅkṣobham akṣara-juṣām api citta-tanvoḥ

Translation

When the breeze carrying the aroma of tulasī leaves from the toes of the lotus feet of the Personality of Godhead entered the nostrils of those sages, they experienced a change both in body and in mind, even though they were attached to the impersonal Brahman understanding.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serving the Lord Surpasses Becoming One

  1. 1

    The four Kumāras were attached to impersonal Brahman realization and the idea of becoming one with the Lord.

  2. 2

    The breeze carried the fragrance of tulasī from the Lord’s lotus feet into their nostrils. Along with seeing His beautiful features, this brought a change in their minds and bodies.

  3. 3

    Instead of seeking to become one with the Supreme Lord, they thought it wise to become His devotees. Serving His lotus feet is better than becoming one with Him.

Key points from the purport
  • It appears from this verse that the four Kumāras were impersonalists or protagonists of the philosophy of monism, becoming one with the Lord.
  • But as soon as they saw the Lord’s features, their minds changed.
  • Becoming a servitor of the lotus feet of the Lord is better than becoming one with the Lord.

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· 4

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 17.142

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.15.43).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 24.45

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.15.43).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 24.115

This is a verse from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.15.43).

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 25.158

This is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.15.43).

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Him
  2. aravinda-nayanasyaof the lotus-eyed Lord
  3. pada-aravindaof the lotus feet
  4. kiñjalkawith the toes
  5. miśramixed
  6. tulasīthe tulasī leaves
  7. makarandafragrance
  8. vāyuḥbreeze
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: “attached”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

What draws me toward serving the Lord personally?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing your desire to serve the Lord rather than become one with Him.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServing the Lord Surpasses Becoming OneThis 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 3.15.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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