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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 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa
3.19.333.19.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.19.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 3.19.33inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अन्येषां पुण्यश्लोकानामुद्दामयशसां

सताम् ।

उपश्रुत्य भवेन्मोद: श्रीवत्साङ्कस्य किं पुन: ॥ ३४ ॥

anyeṣāṁ puṇya-ślokānām

uddāma-yaśasāṁ satām

upaśrutya bhaven modaḥ

śrīvatsāṅkasya kiṁ punaḥ

Translation

What to speak of hearing the pastimes of the Lord, whose chest is marked with Śrīvatsa, people may take transcendental pleasure even in hearing of the works and deeds of the devotees, whose fame is immortal.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotees’ Lives Glorify the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Bhāgavatam concerns the pastimes of both the Lord and His devotees. Hearing the deeds of devotees can also bring transcendental pleasure.

  2. 2

    The accounts of Prahlāda, Dhruva and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa pertain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead because their activities are related to Him.

  3. 3

    The history of the Pāṇḍavas in the Mahābhārata is sacred because of their direct relationship with Lord Kṛṣṇa. Their connection with Him makes their activities spiritually meaningful.

Key points from the purport
  • Bhāgavatam literally means the pastimes of the Lord and the Lord’s devotees.
  • For example, there are pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa and narrations of devotees like Prahlāda, Dhruva and Mahārāja Ambarīṣa.
  • Both pastimes pertain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead because the devotees’ pastimes are in relation with Him.

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 19: The Killing of the Demon Hiraṇyākṣa

Lord Varāha defeats Hiraṇyākṣa and returns to His abode amid the demigods’ praises.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.19
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anyeṣāmof others
  2. puṇya-ślokānāmof pious reputation
  3. uddāma-yaśasāmwhose fame is spread everywhere
  4. satāmof the devotees
  5. upaśrutyaby hearing
  6. bhavetmay arise
  7. modaḥpleasure
  8. śrīvatsa-aṅkasyaof the Lord, who bears the mark Śrīvatsa
  9. kim punaḥwhat to speak of
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.19

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.19

    In this verse: “hearing”

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

When I hear about devotees, do I notice their relationship with the Lord?

Practice

Reread the purport and write one sentence explaining why accounts of devotees are sacred.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.19's connections

Live this todayDevotees’ Lives Glorify the Supreme 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 3.19.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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