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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 2: Remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa
3.1.453.2.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.2.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit
A turning point forVidura· Uddhava remembersA turning point forUddhava· Speechless remembrance

श्री शुक उवाच

इति भागवत: पृष्ट: क्षत्‍त्रा वार्तां प्रियाश्रयाम् ।

प्रतिवक्तुं न चोत्सेह औत्कण्ठ्यात्स्मारितेश्वर: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

iti bhāgavataḥ pṛṣṭaḥ

kṣattrā vārtāṁ priyāśrayām

prativaktuṁ na cotseha

autkaṇṭhyāt smāriteśvaraḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the great devotee Uddhava was asked by Vidura to speak on the messages of the dearest [Lord Kṛṣṇa], Uddhava was unable to answer immediately due to excessive anxiety at the remembrance of the 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.

Remembrance of Kṛṣṇa Can Overwhelm the Heart

  1. 1

    Vidura asked the great devotee Uddhava to speak about Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was most dear to him.

  2. 2

    The question brought the Lord to Uddhava’s remembrance and filled him with excessive anxiety.

  3. 3

    Uddhava could not answer immediately. His silence arose from his deep feelings on remembering the Lord.

How it feels

Separation → Devotional remembrance. Uddhava's tears and silence make remembrance emotionally immediate.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 3: Vidura meets Uddhava and hears of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: Remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa

Uddhava remembers Kṛṣṇa in devotional ecstasy and recounts His disappearance, supremacy, and childhood activities.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva said
  2. itithus
  3. bhāgavataḥthe great devotee
  4. pṛṣṭaḥbeing asked
  5. kṣattrāby Vidura
  6. vārtāmmessage
  7. priya-āśrayāmregarding the dearest
  8. prativaktumto reply
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How attentively do I receive an opportunity to remember Lord Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause for a quiet moment today and remember Lord Kṛṣṇa before speaking about Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembrance of Kṛṣṇa Can Overwhelm the HeartThis 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 3.2.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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