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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
3.20.243.20.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.25

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

स उपव्रज्य वरदं प्रपन्नार्तिहरं हरिम् ।

अनुग्रहाय भक्तानामनुरूपात्मदर्शनम् ॥ २५ ॥

sa upavrajya varadaṁ

prapannārti-haraṁ harim

anugrahāya bhaktānām

anurūpātma-darśanam

Translation

He approached the Personality of Godhead, who bestows all boons and who dispels the agony of His devotees and of those who take shelter of His lotus feet. He manifests His innumerable transcendental forms for the satisfaction of His devotees.

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 Favors His Devotees

  1. 1

    Brahmā approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who relieves the distress of those taking shelter of His lotus feet.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s innumerable forms are eternal, not products of a devotee’s imagination. His personal forms do not conceal an ultimately impersonal nature.

  3. 3

    A devotee lovingly worships and serves a particular form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, such as Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. The Lord is pleased to favor that devotional attachment.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahma-saṁhitā further explains that the Lord has innumerable forms: rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan.
  • Therefore I want to see the Lord in the forms of Rāma and Sītā.”
  • This form of the Lord is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

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. saḥLord Brahmā
  2. upavrajyaapproaching
  3. vara-damthe bestower of all boons
  4. prapannaof those taking shelter at His lotus feet
  5. ārtidistress
  6. haramwho dispels
  7. harimLord Śrī Hari
  8. anugrahāyafor showing mercy
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional”, “devotee’s”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

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

How can I approach the Lord with a more personal desire to serve Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to the form of the Lord you worship, asking for an opportunity to render devotional service.

5

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 3.20's connections

Live this todayThe Lord Favors His DevoteesThis 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 3.20.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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