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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 2: Remembrance of Lord Kṛṣṇa
3.2.163.2.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.2.7inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

दुनोति चेत: स्मरतो ममैतद्

यदाह पादावभिवन्द्य पित्रो: ।

ताताम्ब कंसादुरुशङ्कितानां

प्रसीदतं नोऽकृतनिष्कृतीनाम् ॥ १७ ॥

dunoti cetaḥ smarato mamaitad

yad āha pādāv abhivandya pitroḥ

tātāmba kaṁsād uru-śaṅkitānāṁ

prasīdataṁ no ’kṛta-niṣkṛtīnām

Translation

Lord Kṛṣṇa begged pardon from His parents for Their [Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma’s] inability to serve their feet, due to being away from home because of great fear of Kaṁsa. He said, “O mother, O father, please excuse Us for this inability.” All this behavior of the Lord gives me pain at heart.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Honors His Parents

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa was never afraid of Kaṁsa. He accepted the appearance of fear to please His father and preserve his intense affection.

  2. 2

    The Lord, whose lotus feet are worshiped by Brahmā and Śiva, begged His parents’ pardon for being unable to serve them. His example teaches that a son should serve his parents, however great he may be.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s behavior also teaches respect for the Supreme Father. Uddhava was filled with wonder at the Lord’s conduct and sorrow that he could not go with Him.

Key points from the purport
  • But if Lord Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, how was it possible that They were afraid of Kaṁsa?
  • Because Vasudeva was a great devotee of the Lord, he did not like to think that Kṛṣṇa might be killed like his other children.
  • Since Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, He was never afraid of Kaṁsa, but to please His father He agreed to be so.

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

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dunotiit gives me pain
  2. cetaḥheart
  3. smarataḥwhile thinking of
  4. mamamy
  5. etatthis
  6. yatas much as
  7. āhasaid
  8. pādaufeet
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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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “fear”, “afraid”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does Kṛṣṇa’s example deepen my appreciation of serving and respecting my parents?

Practice

Offer your parents one small act of service or a sincere expression of gratitude today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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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 3.2's connections

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Honors His ParentsThis 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 3.2.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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