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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
3.16.163.16.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 3.16.16inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

ब्रह्मण्यस्य परं दैवं ब्राह्मणा: किल ते प्रभो ।

विप्राणां देवदेवानां भगवानात्मदैवतम् ॥ १७ ॥

brahmaṇyasya paraṁ daivaṁ

brāhmaṇāḥ kila te prabho

viprāṇāṁ deva-devānāṁ

bhagavān ātma-daivatam

Translation

O Lord, You are the supreme director of the brahminical culture. Your considering the brāhmaṇas to be in the highest position is Your example for teaching others. Actually You are the supreme worshipable Deity, not only for the gods but for the brāhmaṇas also.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Teaches Respect by Example

  1. 1

    The Lord honors the brāhmaṇas to teach others by His example. He Himself remains the worshipable Deity of both brāhmaṇas and demigods.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause of all causes and the Supersoul of everyone. Lord Viṣṇu is the Lord of Brahmā and Śiva.

  3. 3

    The Lord favors brahminical qualities: control of the senses and mind, cleanliness, forbearance, faith in scripture, and practical and theoretical knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Viṣṇu is the Lord of Brahmā and Śiva, not to speak of the brāhmaṇas in this material world.
  • As mentioned in Bhagavad-gītā, the Supreme Lord is very favorable towards all activities performed according to brahminical culture, or the qualities of control of the senses and mind, cleanliness, forbearance, faith in scripture, and practical and theoretical knowledge.
  • In Bhagavad-gītā it is said that the Lord is the source of all emanations; thus He is also the source of Brahmā and Śiva.

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. brahmaṇyasyaof the supreme director of the brahminical culture
  2. paramthe highest
  3. daivamposition
  4. brāhmaṇāḥthe brāhmaṇas
  5. kilafor the teaching of others
  6. teYour
  7. prabhoO Lord
  8. viprāṇāmof the brāhmaṇas
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “worshipable”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “favors”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which brahminical quality most needs my attention today?

Practice

Choose forbearance today: when a small irritation arises, pause and respond patiently.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Teaches Respect by ExampleThis 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.

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