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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 16: The Two Doorkeepers of Vaikuṇṭha, Jaya and Vijaya, Cursed by the Sages
3.16.183.16.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.19

Mukti· Liberation
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

तरन्ति ह्यञ्जसा मृत्युं निवृत्ता यदनुग्रहात् ।

योगिन: स भवान् किंस्विदनुगृह्येत यत्परै: ॥ १९ ॥

taranti hy añjasā mṛtyuṁ

nivṛttā yad-anugrahāt

yoginaḥ sa bhavān kiṁ svid

anugṛhyeta yat paraiḥ

Translation

Mystics and transcendentalists, by the mercy of the Lord, cross beyond nescience by ceasing all material desires. It is not possible, therefore, that the Supreme Lord can be favored by others.

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’s Mercy Carries Devotees Beyond

  1. 1

    Without the Supreme Lord’s mercy, no one can cross the ocean of repeated birth and death. By His mercy, devotees can pass beyond ignorance and attain His eternal abode.

  2. 2

    Devotees desire eternal association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and service to Him. Their aim is not merely partial vision of Him or oneness with Him.

  3. 3

    The Lord needs no one’s favor, because no one is equal to or greater than Him. Everyone needs His favor to understand the purpose of human life.

Key points from the purport
  • Unless one is favored by the Supreme Lord, one cannot cross over the ocean of the nescience of repeated birth and death.
  • Here it is stated that yogīs or mystics cross beyond nescience by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • By the mercy of the Lord, devotees can easily pass beyond the nescience of birth and death and attain the eternal abode of the Lord.

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. taranticross over
  2. hibecause
  3. añjasāeasily
  4. mṛtyumbirth and death
  5. nivṛttāḥceasing all material desires
  6. yatYour
  7. anugrahātby mercy
  8. yoginaḥtranscendentalists
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favored”, “favor”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “death”

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

Do I seek the Lord’s mercy chiefly for personal gain or for the opportunity to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer asking for the Lord’s mercy to serve Him rather than pursue a material desire.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Carries Devotees BeyondThis 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 3.16.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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