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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
3.2.303.2.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.2.7inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

विपन्नान् विषपानेन निगृह्य भुजगाधिपम् ।

उत्थाप्यापाययद्गावस्तत्तोयं प्रकृतिस्थितम् ॥ ३१ ॥

vipannān viṣa-pānena

nigṛhya bhujagādhipam

utthāpyāpāyayad gāvas

tat toyaṁ prakṛti-sthitam

Translation

The inhabitants of Vṛndāvana were perplexed by great difficulties because a certain portion of the Yamunā was poisoned by the chief of the reptiles [Kāliya]. The Lord chastised the snake-king within the water and drove him away, and after coming out of the river, He caused the cows to drink the water and proved that the water was again in its natural state.

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.

Kṛṣṇa Restores the Yamunā’s Water

  1. 1

    Kāliya had poisoned a portion of the Yamunā. This caused great difficulties for the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana.

  2. 2

    The Lord entered the water, chastised the snake-king and drove him away.

  3. 3

    After coming out, Kṛṣṇa caused the cows to drink the water. In this way He showed that it had returned to its natural state.

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. vipannānperplexed in great difficulties
  2. viṣa-pānenaby drinking poison
  3. nigṛhyasubduing
  4. bhujaga-adhipamthe chief of the reptiles
  5. utthāpyaafter coming out
  6. apāyayatcaused to drink
  7. gāvaḥthe cows
  8. tatthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What stands out to you about Kṛṣṇa’s care for the inhabitants and cows of Vṛndāvana?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, focusing on how Kṛṣṇa removed the danger and restored the water.

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 Restores the Yamunā’s WaterThis 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 3.2.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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