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
3.16.193.16.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

यं वै विभूतिरुपयात्यनुवेलमन्यै-

रर्थार्थिभि: स्वशिरसा धृतपादरेणु: ।

धन्यार्पिताङ्‌घ्रितुलसीनवदामधाम्नो

लोकं मधुव्रतपतेरिव कामयाना ॥ २० ॥

yaṁ vai vibhūtir upayāty anuvelam anyair

arthārthibhiḥ sva-śirasā dhṛta-pāda-reṇuḥ

dhanyārpitāṅghri-tulasī-nava-dāma-dhāmno

lokaṁ madhuvrata-pater iva kāma-yānā

Translation

The goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī, the dust of whose feet is worn on the head by others, waits upon You, as appointed, for she is anxious to secure a place in the abode of the king of bees, who hovers on the fresh wreath of tulasī leaves offered at Your feet by some blessed devotee.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Everyone Is a Servant of the Lord

  1. 1

    Tulasī has attained superior qualities through being placed at the Lord’s lotus feet. A blessed devotee offers Him a fresh wreath of tulasī leaves.

  2. 2

    Although others seek the favor of Lakṣmī, she herself constantly serves the Lord’s lotus feet. Her eagerness is compared to the king of bees hovering over the offered tulasī.

  3. 3

    No one can be the Lord’s benefactor. Everyone is actually the servant of the servant of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • As previously described, tulasī has attained all superior qualities due to being placed at the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • As the king of bees hovers over the tulasī leaves offered to the lotus feet of the Lord, so Lakṣmī, the goddess who is sought by the demigods, brāhmaṇas, Vaiṣṇavas and everyone else, always engages in rendering service to the lotus feet of the Lord.
  • The conclusion is that no one can be the benefactor of the Lord; everyone is actually the servant of the servant 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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yamwhom
  2. vaicertainly
  3. vibhūtiḥLakṣmī, the goddess of fortune
  4. upayātiwaits upon
  5. anuvelamoccasionally
  6. anyaiḥby others
  7. arthamaterial facility
  8. arthibhiḥby those who desire
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “blessed”, “favor”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “king”

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 see service as a favor I give, or as my rightful relationship with the Lord?

Practice

Offer one small act of help to a devotee today, remembering that you are a servant of the Lord’s servant.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEveryone Is a Servant of 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 3.16.20? 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