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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
3.20.33.20.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 3.20.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

किमन्वपृच्छन्मैत्रेयं विरजास्तीर्थसेवया ।

उपगम्य कुशावर्त आसीनं तत्त्ववित्तमम् ॥ ४ ॥

kim anvapṛcchan maitreyaṁ

virajās tīrtha-sevayā

upagamya kuśāvarta

āsīnaṁ tattva-vittamam

Translation

Vidura was purified of all passion by wandering in sacred places, and at last he reached Hardwar, where he met the great sage who knew the science of spiritual life, and he inquired from him. Śaunaka Ṛṣi therefore asked: What more did Vidura inquire from Maitreya?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Genuine Spiritual Guidance

  1. 1

    Vidura left a home filled with politics and diplomacy and became purified by visiting sacred places. At Hardwar he met Maitreya, who knew the science of spiritual life.

  2. 2

    Pilgrimage is not merely for bathing; one should seek genuine sages and receive their instructions. One must carefully distinguish a true knower of the Absolute Truth from a pretender.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, situated in everyone’s heart, helps a sincere seeker find a suitable spiritual master. By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master, one attains devotional service, the path of salvation.

Key points from the purport
  • Here the words virajās tīrtha-sevayā refer to Vidura, who was completely cleansed of all contamination by traveling to places of pilgrimage.
  • In India there are hundreds of sacred places of pilgrimage, of which Prayāga, Hardwar, Vṛndāvana and Rāmeśvaram are considered principal.
  • If one does not do so, his traveling to places of pilgrimage is simply a waste of time.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kimwhat
  2. anvapṛcchatinquired
  3. maitreyamfrom the sage Maitreya
  4. virajāḥVidura, who was without material contamination
  5. tīrtha-sevayāby visiting sacred places
  6. upagamyahaving met
  7. kuśāvarteat Kuśāvarta (Haridvāra, or Hardwar)
  8. āsīnamwho was abiding
  9. tattva-vit-tamamthe foremost knower of the science of spiritual life
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquired”, “absolute truth”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Am I seeking genuine spiritual instruction, rather than only an outward religious experience?

Practice

Write down one sincere spiritual question to bring to a teacher who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todaySeek Genuine Spiritual GuidanceThis 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 3.20.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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