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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 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
3.19.383.20.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.1

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 3.20.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

शौनक उवाच

महीं प्रतिष्ठामध्यस्य सौते स्वायम्भुवो मनु: ।

कान्यन्वतिष्ठद् द्वाराणि मार्गायावरजन्मनाम् ॥ १ ॥

śaunaka uvāca

mahīṁ pratiṣṭhām adhyasya

saute svāyambhuvo manuḥ

kāny anvatiṣṭhad dvārāṇi

mārgāyāvara-janmanām

Translation

Śrī Śaunaka inquired: O Sūta Gosvāmī, after the earth was again situated in its orbit, what did Svāyambhuva Manu do to show the path of liberation to persons who were to take birth later on?

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Provides a Path to Liberation

  1. 1

    Śaunaka asks what Svāyambhuva Manu did after the earth was restored to its orbit to guide those who would take birth later.

  2. 2

    Manu creates scriptural regulations for the salvation of conditioned souls, who come to the material world for enjoyment.

  3. 3

    The Lord is so kind that He gives souls facilities for material enjoyment while also showing them the path of salvation.

Key points from the purport
  • The appearance of the Lord as the first boar incarnation occurred during the time of Svāyambhuva Manu, whereas the present age is in the period of Vaivasvata Manu.
  • Thus 4,320,000 × 72 solar years is the reign of one Manu.
  • Śaunaka Ṛṣi, therefore, inquired from Sūta Gosvāmī: “What did Svāyambhuva Manu do after the reinstatement of the earth in its orbital situation?”

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

Longing and service → Preparedness. Family devotion turns toward higher spiritual fulfillment.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 3: Kardama, Devahūti, family and renunciation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura

Questions about Manu lead to further accounts of Brahmā’s creation of demigods, demons, and other beings.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.20
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śaunakaḥŚaunaka
  2. uvācasaid
  3. mahīmthe earth
  4. pratiṣṭhāmsituated
  5. adhyasyahaving secured
  6. sauteO Sūta Gosvāmī
  7. svāyambhuvaḥSvāyambhuva
  8. manuḥManu
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “inquired”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I looking only for enjoyment, or also for the path of salvation the Lord provides?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to study a scriptural instruction with the intention of finding spiritual direction.

Live this todayThe Lord Provides a Path to LiberationThis 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 3.20.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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