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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
3.20.273.20.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.28

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

सोऽवधार्यास्य कार्पण्यं विविक्ताध्यात्मदर्शन: ।

विमुञ्चात्मतनुं घोरामित्युक्तो विमुमोच ह ॥ २८ ॥

so ’vadhāryāsya kārpaṇyaṁ

viviktādhyātma-darśanaḥ

vimuñcātma-tanuṁ ghorām

ity ukto vimumoca ha

Translation

The Lord, who can distinctly see the minds of others, perceived Brahmā’s distress and said to him: “Cast off this impure body of yours.” Thus commanded by the Lord, Brahmā cast off his body.

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 Knows and Guides the Heart

  1. 1

    As Paramātmā within every heart, the Supreme Lord knows the exact causes of distress. He can guide a surrendered person out of danger and toward devotional service.

  2. 2

    Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Brahmā’s giving up his body means giving up a particular mentality. Abandoning sinful thought can thus be described as giving up the subtle body.

  3. 3

    The purport also teaches that parents should sanctify their minds before conceiving a child. The garbhādhāna-saṁskāra supports this preparation, with the mind directed toward the Lord’s lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord, as Paramātmā, is sitting within the heart of every living entity, and He directly perceives the exact causes of distress.
  • Thus whenever one fully surrenders unto the Supreme Lord, one finds that He is sitting within one’s heart.
  • The Lord, however, asked Brahmā to give up his present body because it had created the demoniac principle.

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. saḥthe Supreme Lord, Hari
  2. avadhāryaperceiving
  3. asyaof Lord Brahmā
  4. kārpaṇyamthe distress
  5. viviktawithout a doubt
  6. adhyātmaminds of others
  7. darśanaḥone who can see
  8. vimuñcacast off
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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: “distress”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “child”

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

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What harmful pattern of thought could I give up while seeking the Lord’s guidance?

Practice

When a harmful thought arises today, pause and offer a prayer for guidance toward devotional service.

Live this todayThe Lord Knows and Guides the HeartThis 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 3.20.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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