1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama
3.21.143.21.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sage Kardamasince 3.21.13inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तथा स चाहं परिवोढुकाम:

समानशीलां गृहमेधधेनुम् ।

उपेयिवान्मूलमशेषमूलं

दुराशय: कामदुघाङ्‌घ्रिपस्य ॥ १५ ॥

tathā sa cāhaṁ parivoḍhu-kāmaḥ

samāna-śīlāṁ gṛhamedha-dhenum

upeyivān mūlam aśeṣa-mūlaṁ

durāśayaḥ kāma-dughāṅghripasya

Translation

Therefore, desiring to marry a girl of like disposition who may prove to be a veritable cow of plenty in my married life, to satisfy my lustful desire I too have sought the shelter of Your lotus feet, which are the source of everything, for You are like a desire tree.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Kṛṣṇa Even While Desires Remain

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni honestly expressed his desire for marriage before the Lord, although he knew that material benefits should not be the aim of worship. He sought shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    He wanted a wife of like disposition who could assist in spiritual and material advancement. The purport emphasizes compatible natures rather than attraction based only on beauty or sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Everyone should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whether full of desires, free from desires, or seeking liberation. By worshiping Kṛṣṇa, even one with material desires can gradually become a pure devotee who wants only loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • In spite of his condemning persons who approach the Lord for material advantages, Kardama Muni expressed his material inability and desire before the Lord by saying, “Although I know that nothing material should be asked from You, I nevertheless desire to marry a girl of like disposition.”
  • Kardama Muni wanted to have a wife of like disposition because a wife is necessary to assist in spiritual and material advancement.
  • Before marrying, one should select a wife of like disposition and not be enamored by so-called beauty or other attractive features for sense gratification.

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 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama

Kardama performs penance, receives the Lord’s blessings, and welcomes Manu, who travels with his wife and daughter.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.21
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāsimilarly
  2. saḥmyself
  3. caalso
  4. ahamI
  5. parivoḍhu-kāmaḥdesiring to marry
  6. samāna-śīlāma girl of like disposition
  7. gṛha-medhain married life
  8. dhenuma cow of plenty
3

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 3.21

    In this verse: “lustful”, “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worship”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “shelter”

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

Can I honestly bring my desires before Kṛṣṇa while seeking to grow toward selfless service?

Practice

In a brief prayer, acknowledge one material desire and ask Kṛṣṇa to help you grow in loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa Even While Desires RemainThis 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 3.21.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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