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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
3.20.263.20.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.27

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.20.26inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

त्वमेक: किल लोकानां क्लिष्टानां

क्लेशनाशन: ।

त्वमेक: क्लेशदस्तेषामनासन्नपदां तव ॥ २७ ॥

tvam ekaḥ kila lokānāṁ

kliṣṭānāṁ kleśa-nāśanaḥ

tvam ekaḥ kleśadas teṣām

anāsanna-padāṁ tava

Translation

My Lord, You are the only one capable of ending the affliction of the distressed and inflicting agony on those who never resort to Your feet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter of the Lord’s Feet

  1. 1

    Brahmā declared that the Lord alone can end the affliction of the distressed.

  2. 2

    The purport describes two concerns of the Lord: protecting those who take shelter of Him and giving trouble to those who remain inimical toward Him.

  3. 3

    Māyā’s function is to afflict nondevotees. Brahmā therefore surrendered to the Lord’s lotus feet and asked for protection.

Key points from the purport
  • The words kleśadas teṣām anāsanna-padāṁ tava indicate that the Lord has two concerns.
  • The first is to give protection to persons who take shelter of His lotus feet, and the second is to give trouble to those who are always demoniac and who are inimical toward the Lord.
  • Here Brahmā said, “You are the protector of the surrendered souls; therefore I surrender unto Your lotus feet.

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. tvamYou
  2. ekaḥalone
  3. kilaindeed
  4. lokānāmof the people
  5. kliṣṭānāmafflicted with miseries
  6. kleśathe distresses
  7. nāśanaḥrelieving
  8. tvam ekaḥYou alone
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 3.20

    In this verse: “distressed”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “surrendered”, “shelter”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyā’s”

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

What would taking shelter of the Lord mean in a difficulty I face now?

Practice

Take a quiet moment to pray, “Please let me take shelter of Your lotus feet.”

Live this todayTake Shelter of the Lord’s FeetThis 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 3.20.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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