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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
3.16.283.16.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.16.29inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

भगवाननुगावाह यातं मा भैष्टमस्तु शम् ।

ब्रह्मतेज: समर्थोऽपि हन्तुं नेच्छे मतं तु मे ॥ २९ ॥

bhagavān anugāv āha

yātaṁ mā bhaiṣṭam astu śam

brahma-tejaḥ samartho ’pi

hantuṁ necche mataṁ tu me

Translation

The Lord then said to His attendants, Jaya and Vijaya: Depart this place, but fear not. All glories unto you. Though I am capable of nullifying the brāhmaṇas’ curse, I would not do so. On the contrary, it has My approval.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Never Abandons His Devotee

  1. 1

    The Lord could cancel the brāhmaṇas’ curse, but He chose not to because it had His approval.

  2. 2

    These unusual events were arranged by the Lord for His pastimes in the material world. A curse alone could not make inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha return here.

  3. 3

    The Lord reassured and blessed His attendants. The purport concludes that a devotee once accepted by the Lord can never fall down.

Key points from the purport
  • As explained in connection with text 26, all the incidents that took place had the approval of the Lord.
  • All these incidents, therefore, were designed by the Lord Himself for the sake of His pastimes in the material world.
  • Thus He plainly says that it was done with His approval; otherwise, it would have been impossible for inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha to come back to this material world simply because of a brahminical curse.

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. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. anugauto His two attendants
  3. āhasaid
  4. yātamdepart from this place
  5. mālet there not be
  6. bhaiṣṭamfear
  7. astulet there be
  8. śamhappiness
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “blessed”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

How does the Lord’s reassurance to His attendants strengthen my trust in His care?

Practice

Read the Lord’s words “Depart this place, but fear not” slowly, and spend a moment reflecting on His care for His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Never Abandons His DevoteeThis 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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