1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 16: The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikuṇṭha, Jaya and Vijaya, Cursed by the Sages
3.16.103.16.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.16.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

ये ब्राह्मणान्मयि धिया क्षिपतोऽर्चयन्त-

स्तुष्यद्‍धृद: स्मितसुधोक्षितपद्मवक्त्रा: ।

वाण्यानुरागकलयात्मजवद् गृणन्त:

सम्बोधयन्त्यहमिवाहमुपाहृतस्तै: ॥ ११ ॥

ye brāhmaṇān mayi dhiyā kṣipato ’rcayantas

tuṣyad-dhṛdaḥ smita-sudhokṣita-padma-vaktrāḥ

vāṇyānurāga-kalayātmajavad gṛṇantaḥ

sambodhayanty aham ivāham upāhṛtas taiḥ

Translation

On the other hand, they captivate My heart who are gladdened in heart and who, their lotus faces enlightened by nectarean smiles, respect the brāhmaṇas, even though the brāhmaṇas utter harsh words. They look upon the brāhmaṇas as My own Self and pacify them by praising them in loving words, even as a son would appease an angry father or as I am pacifying you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gentle Respect Captivates the Lord

  1. 1

    When brāhmaṇas or Vaiṣṇavas speak harshly, one should not respond with the same harshness. Jaya and Vijaya submitted rather than seeking revenge.

  2. 2

    Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas should be accepted as earthly representatives of Nārāyaṇa. One should try to pacify them with mild treatment and loving words.

  3. 3

    A lotuslike face expresses love and affection. The Lord says that those who offer such heartfelt respect captivate His heart.

Key points from the purport
  • One may sometimes be faced with a grievous situation created by a brāhmaṇa, but instead of meeting him with a similar mood, one should try to pacify him with a smiling face and mild treatment.
  • Brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas should be accepted as earthly representatives of Nārāyaṇa.
  • It is specifically said that to pacify the brāhmaṇas, one’s face should be lotuslike.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yewhich persons
  2. brāhmaṇānthe brāhmaṇas
  3. mayiin Me
  4. dhiyāwith intelligence
  5. kṣipataḥuttering harsh words
  6. arcayantaḥrespecting
  7. tuṣyatgladdened
  8. hṛdaḥhearts
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “father”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “love”

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 respond to harsh words with genuine gentleness rather than retaliation?

Practice

Today, pause before answering a harsh remark and choose mild, respectful words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGentle Respect Captivates the LordThis 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 3.16.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories