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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
3.2.233.2.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.24

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

मन्येऽसुरान् भागवतांस्त्र्यधीशे

संरम्भमार्गाभिनिविष्टचित्तान् ।

ये संयुगेऽचक्षत तार्क्ष्यपुत्र-

मंसे सुनाभायुधमापतन्तम् ॥ २४ ॥

manye ’surān bhāgavatāṁs tryadhīśe

saṁrambha-mārgābhiniviṣṭa-cittān

ye saṁyuge ’cakṣata tārkṣya-putram

aṁse sunābhāyudham āpatantam

Translation

I consider the demons, who are inimical toward the Lord, to be more than the devotees because while fighting with the Lord, absorbed in thoughts of enmity, they are able to see the Lord carried on the shoulder of Garuḍa, the son of Tārkṣya [Kaśyapa], and carrying the wheel weapon in His hand.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Surpasses Impersonal Salvation

  1. 1

    Demons killed by the Lord received salvation through His causeless mercy, not because they were devotees. Even slight contact with Him brings great benefit.

  2. 2

    Uddhava spoke as though the demons were more fortunate because they saw the Lord face to face. These words arose from his feelings of separation; demons are never equal to pure devotees.

  3. 3

    Demons and impersonalists may merge in the brahmajyoti, but loving devotees enter the spiritual planets. There they remain with the Lord in eternal, blissful existence.

Key points from the purport
  • This salvation of the demons is not due to their being devotees of the Lord; it is because of the Lord’s causeless mercy.
  • The demons and impersonalists are awarded the facility of merging in the brahmajyoti effulgence of the Lord, whereas the devotees are admitted into the spiritual planets.
  • The impersonalists, therefore, are no more favored than the enemies of the Lord; rather, they are both on the same level of spiritual salvation.

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. manyeI think
  2. asurānthe demons
  3. bhāgavatāngreat devotees
  4. tri-adhīśeunto the Lord of the threes
  5. saṁrambhaenmity
  6. mārgaby the way of
  7. abhiniviṣṭa-cittānabsorbed in thought
  8. yethose
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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 3.2

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

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

    In this verse: “separation”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Why is eternal loving service to the Lord more desirable than merely merging in His effulgence?

Practice

Set aside a quiet minute to remember the Lord with the intention of serving Him in love.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Service Surpasses Impersonal SalvationThis 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 3.2.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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