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
3.16.133.16.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.14

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

सतीं व्यादाय श‍ृण्वन्तो लघ्वीं गुर्वर्थगह्वराम् ।

विगाह्यागाधगम्भीरां न विदुस्तच्चिकीर्षितम् ॥ १४ ॥

satīṁ vyādāya śṛṇvanto

laghvīṁ gurv-artha-gahvarām

vigāhyāgādha-gambhīrāṁ

na vidus tac-cikīrṣitam

Translation

The Lord’s excellent speech was difficult to comprehend because of its momentous import and its most profound significance. The sages heard it with wide-open ears and pondered it as well. But although hearing, they could not understand what He intended to do.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear the Lord With Humble Attention

  1. 1

    No one can surpass the Supreme Personality of Godhead in speaking. On the absolute platform, there is no difference between Him and His words.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s speech was concise and meaningful, yet profoundly deep. The sages listened attentively and pondered its meaning.

  3. 3

    Even with careful hearing, the sages could not fully understand His intention. They could not tell whether He was angry or pleased with them.

Key points from the purport
  • It should be understood that no one can surpass the Supreme Personality of Godhead in speaking.
  • The sages tried with wide-open ears to understand the words from the lips of the Supreme Lord, but although His speech was very concise and meaningful, the sages could not completely comprehend what He was saying.
  • Nor could they understand whether the Lord was angry or pleased with them.

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. satīmexcellent
  2. vyādāyawith attentive aural reception
  3. śṛṇvantaḥhearing
  4. laghvīmproperly composed
  5. gurumomentous
  6. arthaimport
  7. gahvarāmdifficult to understand
  8. vigāhyapondering
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”, “heard”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “understand”

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

Can I listen humbly even when I cannot fully understand the Lord’s intention?

Practice

Reread the translation attentively and write down one phrase you would like to understand more deeply.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear the Lord With Humble AttentionThis 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 3.16.14? 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