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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 3.16.10

Who is speaking and story frame

ये मे तनूर्द्विजवरान्दुहतीर्मदीया

भूतान्यलब्धशरणानि च भेदबुद्ध्या ।

द्रक्ष्यन्त्यघक्षतद‍ृशो ह्यहिमन्यवस्तान्

गृध्रा रुषा मम कुषन्त्यधिदण्डनेतु: ॥ १० ॥

ye me tanūr dvija-varān duhatīr madīyā

bhūtāny alabdha-śaraṇāni ca bheda-buddhyā

drakṣyanty agha-kṣata-dṛśo hy ahi-manyavas tān

gṛdhrā ruṣā mama kuṣanty adhidaṇḍa-netuḥ

Translation

The brāhmaṇas, the cows and the defenseless creatures are My own body. Those whose faculty of judgment has been impaired by their own sin look upon these as distinct from Me. They are just like furious serpents, and they are angrily torn apart by the bills of the vulturelike messengers of Yamarāja, the superintendent of sinful persons.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Those Entrusted to Your Care

  1. 1

    The Lord calls brāhmaṇas, cows and defenseless creatures His own body. He especially desires the welfare of brāhmaṇas and cows.

  2. 2

    The purport identifies cows, brāhmaṇas, women, children and old men as requiring protection. The Lord instructs that no one should be envious of them.

  3. 3

    Guardians must care for those who depend upon them. Neglectful guardians face serious punishment from the messengers of Yamarāja, whom the Lord appoints to supervise sinful activities.

Key points from the purport
  • The defenseless creatures, according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, are the cows, brāhmaṇas, women, children and old men.
  • Therefore the Lord especially instructs that no one should be envious of these five, especially the cows and brāhmaṇas.
  • Those who are helpless must be taken care of by their respective guardians; otherwise the guardians will be subjected to the punishment of Yamarāja, who is appointed by the Lord to supervise the activities of sinful living creatures.

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 16: The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikuṇṭha, Jaya and Vijaya, Cursed by the Sages

The Lord honors the sages and assures His fallen doorkeepers that they will soon return.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.16
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yewhich persons
  2. meMy
  3. tanūḥbody
  4. dvija-varānthe best of the brāhmaṇas
  5. duhatīḥcows
  6. madīyāḥrelating to Me
  7. bhūtāniliving entities
  8. alabdha-śaraṇānidefenseless
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “protection”, “guardians”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “welfare”

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

Who depends on my care, and am I taking that responsibility seriously?

Practice

Check on one person entrusted to your care and meet one concrete need today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Those Entrusted to Your CareThis 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 3.16.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.