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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

3.20.29 3.20.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.30

Ūti· What drives us to act

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

अन्योन्यश्लेषयोत्तुङ्गनिरन्तरपयोधराम् ।

सुनासां सुद्विजां स्‍निग्धहासलीलावलोकनाम् ॥ ३० ॥

anyonya-śleṣayottuṅga-

nirantara-payodharām

sunāsāṁ sudvijāṁ snigdha-

hāsa-līlāvalokanām

Translation

Her breasts projected upward because of their clinging to each other, and they were too contiguous to admit any intervening space. She had a shapely nose and beautiful teeth, a lovely smile played on her lips, and she cast a sportful glance at the asuras.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Appearance That Captivated the Asuras

1
The verse continues the description of the woman’s bodily beauty, including her closely joined, raised breasts.
2
It describes her shapely nose, beautiful teeth, and lovely smile.
3
She cast a playful glance at the asuras. The description centers on the attractive appearance before them.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

anyonyato each other
śleṣayābecause of clinging
uttuṅgaraised
nirantarawithout intervening space
payaḥ-dharāmbreasts
su-nāsāmshapely nose
su-dvijāmbeautiful teeth
snigdhalovely
hāsasmile
līlā-avalokanāmsportful glance

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
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.20
In this verse: “lovely”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How readily does an attractive appearance capture my attention?

Practice

Notice one moment today when physical beauty draws your attention, and briefly reflect on your response.

Live this todayThe Appearance That Captivated the AsurasThis 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 3.20.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories