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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
3.2.293.2.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.30

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

प्रयुक्तान् भोजराजेन मायिन: कामरूपिण: ।

लीलया व्यनुदत्तांस्तान् बाल: क्रीडनकानिव ॥ ३० ॥

prayuktān bhoja-rājena

māyinaḥ kāma-rūpiṇaḥ

līlayā vyanudat tāṁs tān

bālaḥ krīḍanakān iva

Translation

The great wizards who were able to assume any form were engaged by the King of Bhoja, Kaṁsa, to kill Kṛṣṇa, but in the course of His pastimes the Lord killed them as easily as a child breaks dolls.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is Always Unrivaled

  1. 1

    Kaṁsa sent powerful wizards who could assume any form to kill Kṛṣṇa. The Lord killed them as easily as a child breaks toys while playing.

  2. 2

    No powerful living being can equal or surpass the Almighty Lord. Even perfection in jñāna, yoga or bhakti does not make anyone equal to Him.

  3. 3

    Whether on Yaśodāmayī’s lap or playing with His cowherd friends, Kṛṣṇa remained God. His six opulences never diminished.

Key points from the purport
  • The atheist Kaṁsa wanted to kill Kṛṣṇa just after His birth.
  • But one after another, all of them were killed by the Lord as if He were only playing with dolls.
  • Before the Almighty Lord, any powerful living being is just like a toy lion in the hands of a playing child.

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. prayuktānengaged
  2. bhoja-rājenaby King Kaṁsa
  3. māyinaḥgreat wizards
  4. kāma-rūpiṇaḥwho could assume any form they liked
  5. līlayāin the course of the pastimes
  6. vyanudatkilled
  7. tānthem
  8. tānas they came there
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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: “child”, “yaśodāmayī’s”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “bhakti”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does remembering Kṛṣṇa’s unrivaled position shape your approach to devotional service?

Practice

Pause before your devotional practice today and remember that its purpose is not to become equal to Kṛṣṇa.

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 Is Always UnrivaledThis 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 3.2.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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