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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
3.20.233.20.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.24

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.20.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ततो हसन् स

भगवानसुरैर्निरपत्रपै: ।

अन्वीयमानस्तरसा क्रुद्धो भीत: परापतत् ॥ २४ ॥

tato hasan sa bhagavān

asurair nirapatrapaiḥ

anvīyamānas tarasā

kruddho bhītaḥ parāpatat

Translation

The worshipful Brahmā first laughed at their stupidity, but finding the shameless asuras close upon him, he grew indignant and ran in great haste out of fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Leave Shameless and Threatening Company

  1. 1

    Brahmā first laughed at the demons’ stupidity, but became angry and afraid when they pursued him.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that these sexually inclined demons had no respect even for their father.

  3. 3

    For a saintly father like Brahmā, the best course was to leave such sons. He ran away rather than remain near them.

Key points from the purport
  • Sexually inclined demons have no respect even for their father, and the best policy for a saintly father like Brahmā is to leave such demoniac sons.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthen
  2. hasanlaughing
  3. saḥ bhagavānthe worshipful Lord Brahmā
  4. asuraiḥby the demons
  5. nirapatrapaiḥshameless
  6. anvīyamānaḥbeing followed
  7. tarasāin great haste
  8. kruddhaḥangry
  9. bhītaḥbeing afraid
  10. parāpatatran away
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “fear”, “afraid”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “worshipful”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “father”

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

Do I recognize when leaving disrespectful or threatening company is necessary?

Practice

Step away from one interaction today if it becomes threatening or shamelessly disrespectful.

Live this todayLeave Shameless and Threatening CompanyThis 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 3.20.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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