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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
3.2.323.2.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.2.33

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

वर्षतीन्द्रे व्रज: कोपाद्भग्नमानेऽतिविह्वल: ।

गोत्रलीलातपत्रेण त्रातो भद्रानुगृह्णता ॥ ३३ ॥

varṣatīndre vrajaḥ kopād

bhagnamāne ’tivihvalaḥ

gotra-līlātapatreṇa

trāto bhadrānugṛhṇatā

Translation

O sober Vidura, King Indra, his honor having been insulted, poured water incessantly on Vṛndāvana, and thus the inhabitants of Vraja, the land of cows, were greatly distressed. But the compassionate Lord Kṛṣṇa saved them from danger with His pastime umbrella, the Govardhana Hill.

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’s Compassion Shelters Vraja

  1. 1

    Indra felt that his honor had been insulted. In anger, he poured rain incessantly on Vṛndāvana.

  2. 2

    The inhabitants of Vraja, the land of cows, became greatly distressed by the downpour.

  3. 3

    The compassionate Lord Kṛṣṇa saved them from danger. He used Govardhana Hill as His pastime umbrella.

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. varṣatiin pouring water
  2. indreby the King of heaven, Indra
  3. vrajaḥthe land of cows (Vṛndāvana)
  4. kopāt bhagnamānehaving been in anger on being insulted
  5. atihighly
  6. vihvalaḥperturbed
  7. gotrathe hill for the cows
  8. līlā-ātapatreṇaby the pastime umbrella
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “compassionate”, “distressed”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “danger”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.2

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Kṛṣṇa’s shelter of the distressed inhabitants reveal about His compassion?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering compassionate Kṛṣṇa sheltering the inhabitants of Vraja with Govardhana Hill.

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 Compassion Shelters VrajaThis 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 3.2.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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