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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 16: The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikuṇṭha, Jaya and Vijaya, Cursed by the Sages
3.16.123.16.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.16.13inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

बह्मोवाच

अथ तस्योशतीं देवीमृषिकुल्यां सरस्वतीम् ।

नास्वाद्य मन्युदष्टानां तेषामात्माप्यतृप्यत ॥ १३ ॥

brahmovāca

atha tasyośatīṁ devīm

ṛṣi-kulyāṁ sarasvatīm

nāsvādya manyu-daṣṭānāṁ

teṣām ātmāpy atṛpyata

Translation

Brahmā continued: Even though the sages had been bitten by the serpent of anger, their souls were not satiated with hearing the Lord’s lovely and illuminating speech, which was like a series of Vedic hymns.

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.

The Sages Long to Hear More

  1. 1

    Brahmā describes the sages as having been bitten by the serpent of anger.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s speech was lovely and illuminating, like a series of Vedic hymns.

  3. 3

    Even in their anger, the sages could not hear enough of the Lord’s words. Their souls remained eager to hear more.

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. brahmāLord Brahmā
  2. uvācasaid
  3. athanow
  4. tasyaof the Supreme Lord
  5. uśatīmlovely
  6. devīmshining
  7. ṛṣi-kulyāmlike a series of Vedic hymns
  8. sarasvatīmspeech
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “lovely”

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

When I feel angry, am I still willing to listen to the Lord’s words?

Practice

Read this translation slowly once more, giving your attention to the description of the Lord’s speech.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sages Long to Hear MoreThis 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 3.16.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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