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
3.16.43.16.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.16.5

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.16.2inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

यन्नामानि च गृह्णाति लोको भृत्ये कृतागसि ।

सोऽसाधुवादस्तत्कीर्तिं हन्ति त्वचमिवामय: ॥ ५ ॥

yan-nāmāni ca gṛhṇāti

loko bhṛtye kṛtāgasi

so ’sādhu-vādas tat-kīrtiṁ

hanti tvacam ivāmayaḥ

Translation

A wrong act committed by a servant leads people in general to blame his master, just as a spot of white leprosy on any part of the body pollutes all of the skin.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Devotee’s Conduct Reflects on the Lord

  1. 1

    A servant’s wrongdoing brings blame upon the master. Similarly, an offense by a devotee is described as a scar on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    A devotee should see that Vaiṣṇava qualities increase as Kṛṣṇa consciousness advances.

  3. 3

    The devotee’s duty is to remain careful in dealings with others, especially with another devotee of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • A devotee should always see that his Vaiṣṇava qualities increase with the advancement of his Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • A devotee should be blameless because any offense by the devotee is a scar on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The devotee’s duty is to be always conscious in his dealings with others, especially with another devotee 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. yatof whom
  2. nāmānithe names
  3. caand
  4. gṛhṇātitake
  5. lokaḥpeople in general
  6. bhṛtyewhen a servant
  7. kṛta-āgasihas committed something wrong
  8. saḥthat
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.16

    In this verse: “offense”

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

Does my conduct help others respect the Lord whom I serve?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause and choose words that will avoid giving offense.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Devotee’s Conduct Reflects on 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 3.16.5? 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