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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
  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
3.20.303.20.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.31

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

गूहन्तीं व्रीडयात्मानं नीलालकवरूथिनीम् ।

उपलभ्यासुरा धर्म सर्वे सम्मुमुहु: स्त्रियम् ॥ ३१ ॥

gūhantīṁ vrīḍayātmānaṁ

nīlālaka-varūthinīm

upalabhyāsurā dharma

sarve sammumuhuḥ striyam

Translation

Adorned with dark tresses, she hid herself, as it were, out of shyness. Upon seeing that girl, the asuras were all infatuated with an appetite for sex.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek the Real Beauty of Spiritual Life

  1. 1

    The asuras became infatuated with the girl's appearance. The purport contrasts attraction born of ignorance with the knowledge of a godly person.

  2. 2

    Material bodily beauty is a combination of flesh and blood. A godly person recognizes its enchanting appearance as māyā.

  3. 3

    The real beauty is Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā. Attraction to Their beauty frees a devotee from attraction to the false beauty of this material world.

Key points from the purport
  • The difference between demons and demigods is that a beautiful woman very easily attracts the minds of demons, but she cannot attract the mind of a godly person.
  • A godly person is full of knowledge, and a demoniac person is full of ignorance.
  • Just as a child is attracted by a beautiful doll, similarly a demon, who is less intelligent and full of ignorance, is attracted by material beauty and an appetite for sex.

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. gūhantīmhiding
  2. vrīḍayāout of shyness
  3. ātmānamherself
  4. nīladark
  5. alakahair
  6. varūthinīma bunch
  7. upalabhyaupon imagining
  8. asurāḥthe demons
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “māyā”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

How could I give more attention to spiritual beauty rather than outward appearance?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to reflect on the beauty of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todaySeek the Real Beauty of Spiritual LifeThis 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 3.20.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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