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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

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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

3.20.45 3.20.47

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.46

Visarga· Brahmā's creation

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

ते तु तज्जगृहू रूपं त्यक्तं यत्परमेष्ठिना ।

मिथुनीभूय गायन्तस्तमेवोषसि कर्मभि: ॥ ४६ ॥

te tu taj jagṛhū rūpaṁ

tyaktaṁ yat parameṣṭhinā

mithunī-bhūya gāyantas

tam evoṣasi karmabhiḥ

Translation

The Kimpuruṣas and Kinnaras took possession of that shadowy form left by Brahmā. That is why they and their spouses sing his praises by recounting his exploits at every daybreak.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Early Morning Favors Spiritual Activities

1
The Kimpuruṣas and Kinnaras accepted the shadowy form left by Brahmā. With their spouses, they sing his praises and recount his exploits at daybreak.
2
The time one and a half hours before sunrise is called brāhma-muhūrta.
3
The purport recommends spiritual activities during brāhma-muhūrta. Such activities have a greater effect early in the morning than at other times.

Key points from the purport

The time early in the morning, one and a half hours before sunrise, is called brāhma-muhūrta.
Spiritual activities performed early in the morning have a greater effect than in any other part of the day.

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