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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
3.16.323.16.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.33

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

तौ तु गीर्वाणऋषभौ दुस्तराद्धरिलोकत: ।

हतश्रियौ ब्रह्मशापादभूतां विगतस्मयौ ॥ ३३ ॥

tau tu gīrvāṇa-ṛṣabhau

dustarād dhari-lokataḥ

hata-śriyau brahma-śāpād

abhūtāṁ vigata-smayau

Translation

But those two gatekeepers, the best of the demigods, their beauty and luster diminished by the curse of the brāhmaṇas, became morose and fell from Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of the Supreme Lord.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Gatekeepers Depart in Sorrow

  1. 1

    The two gatekeepers are described as the best of the demigods.

  2. 2

    The brāhmaṇas’ curse diminished their beauty and luster.

  3. 3

    They became morose and fell from Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of the Supreme Lord.

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. tauthose two gatekeepers
  2. tubut
  3. gīrvāṇa-ṛṣabhauthe best of the demigods
  4. dustarātunable to be avoided
  5. hari-lokataḥfrom Vaikuṇṭha, the abode of Lord Hari
  6. hata-śriyaudiminished in beauty and luster
  7. brahma-śāpātfrom the curse of a brāhmaṇa
  8. abhūtāmbecame
  9. vigata-smayaumorose
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “luster”

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

What does the gatekeepers’ sorrow invite me to reflect on about the value of being near the Lord?

Practice

Reread the translation and pause for a moment to reflect on the gatekeepers’ sorrow at leaving the Lord’s abode.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Gatekeepers Depart in SorrowThis 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 3.16.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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