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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 20: Conversation Between Maitreya and Vidura
3.20.523.21.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.20.53

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

तेभ्यश्चैकैकश: स्वस्य देहस्यांशमदादज: ।

यत्तत्समाधियोगर्द्धितपोविद्याविरक्तिमत् ॥ ५३ ॥

tebhyaś caikaikaśaḥ svasya

dehasyāṁśam adād ajaḥ

yat tat samādhi-yogarddhi-

tapo-vidyā-viraktimat

Translation

To each one of these sons the unborn creator of the universe gave a part of his own body, which was characterized by deep meditation, mental concentration, supernatural power, austerity, adoration and renunciation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Renunciation Supports Absorption in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Brahmā gave each son a part of his own body, characterized by meditation, concentration, supernatural power, austerity, adoration and renunciation.

  2. 2

    Those too attached to material possessions and sense enjoyment cannot attain yoga-samādhi, absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Materialistic enjoyment cannot be maintained as an addiction while one advances spiritually.

  3. 3

    The four principles of renunciation are avoiding illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling; these are called tapasya, or austerity. Spiritual realization means absorbing the mind in the Supreme in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Spiritual realization cannot be attained by materialistic persons.
  • For those who are addicted to sense enjoyment, spiritual realization is not possible.
  • To absorb the mind in the Supreme in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the process of spiritual realization.

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. tebhyaḥto them
  2. caand
  3. ekaikaśaḥeach one
  4. svasyaof his own
  5. dehasyabody
  6. aṁśampart
  7. adātgave
  8. ajaḥthe unborn Brahmā
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.20

    In this verse: “principles”

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

Which attachment most distracts my mind from absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Decline one opportunity for unnecessary sense enjoyment today, and spend that moment focusing your mind on Kṛṣṇa.

Live this todayRenunciation Supports Absorption in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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.

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