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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
3.2.183.2.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.19

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.2.7inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

द‍ृष्टा भवद्‍‌भिर्ननु राजसूये

चैद्यस्य कृष्णं द्विषतोऽपि सिद्धि: ।

यां योगिन: संस्पृहयन्ति सम्यग्

योगेन कस्तद्विरहं सहेत ॥ १९ ॥

dṛṣṭā bhavadbhir nanu rājasūye

caidyasya kṛṣṇaṁ dviṣato ’pi siddhiḥ

yāṁ yoginaḥ saṁspṛhayanti samyag

yogena kas tad-virahaṁ saheta

Translation

You have personally seen how the King of Cedi [Śiśupāla] achieved success in yoga practice, although he hated Lord Kṛṣṇa. Even the actual yogīs aspire after such success with great interest by performance of their various practices. Who can tolerate separation from Him?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy Reaches Even His Enemy

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa showed causeless mercy even to Śiśupāla, who hated and insulted Him. No one can truly rival the Supreme Lord.

  2. 2

    After the Lord killed Śiśupāla, everyone present saw a light leave his body and merge into Kṛṣṇa. He attained a perfection greatly desired by jñānīs and yogīs.

  3. 3

    The purport explains this salvation as merging in the brahmajyoti rays of the Lord’s transcendental body. Remembering such mercy, Uddhava asks how anyone can tolerate separation from Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Because it is not possible to be a bona fide rival of the Lord, the King of Cedi was extremely malicious toward Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • But it was seen by everyone in the assembly that a light flashed out of the body of the King of Cedi and merged into the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • The Lord was merciful even to His enemy, and the success of the King of Cedi was observed by everyone who was present in the assembly.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭāit has been seen
  2. bhavadbhiḥby your good self
  3. nanuof course
  4. rājasūyein the assembly of the rājasūya sacrifice performed by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira
  5. caidyasyaof the King of Cedi (Śiśupāla)
  6. kṛṣṇamunto Kṛṣṇa
  7. dviṣataḥenvying
  8. apiin spite of
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “separation”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kṛṣṇa’s mercy toward His enemy teach me about His character?

Practice

Reread the account of Śiśupāla’s salvation and pause to appreciate the Lord’s causeless mercy.

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 3.2's connections

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Mercy Reaches Even His EnemyThis 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 3.2.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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