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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 21: Conversation Between Manu and Kardama
3.21.213.21.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.22

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

ऋषिरुवाच

इत्यव्यलीकं प्रणुतोऽब्जनाभ-

स्तमाबभाषे वचसामृतेन ।

सुपर्णपक्षोपरि रोचमान:

प्रेमस्मितोद्वीक्षणविभ्रमद्भ्रू: ॥ २२ ॥

ṛṣir uvāca

ity avyalīkaṁ praṇuto ’bja-nābhas

tam ābabhāṣe vacasāmṛtena

suparṇa-pakṣopari rocamānaḥ

prema-smitodvīkṣaṇa-vibhramad-bhrūḥ

Translation

Maitreya resumed: Sincerely extolled in these words, Lord Viṣṇu, shining very beautifully on the shoulders of Garuḍa, replied with words as sweet as nectar. His eyebrows moved gracefully as He looked at the sage with a smile full of affection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Words Are Eternal Nectar

  1. 1

    Lord Viṣṇu responded to sincere praise with nectar-sweet words and an affectionate smile. The Lord is pleased when a devotee praises His glories.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s words and activities are transcendental and deathless. Unlike material sound, spiritual sound is eternal and nectarean.

  3. 3

    Chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa increases the chanter’s enthusiasm to continue. The Lord is causelessly merciful toward His devotee and bestows His transcendental benediction.

Key points from the purport
  • Whenever the Lord speaks, He speaks from the transcendental world.
  • The words and activities of the Lord are deathless; therefore they are not manufactured of this material world.
  • When the Lord replied to the sage Kardama, the word vacasāmṛtena is specifically mentioned, since He spoke from the transcendental world.

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. ṛṣiḥ uvācathe great sage Maitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. avyalīkamsincerely
  4. praṇutaḥhaving been praised
  5. abja-nābhaḥLord Viṣṇu
  6. tamto Kardama Muni
  7. ābabhāṣereplied
  8. vacasāwith words
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “gracefully”, “merciful”, “causelessly”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “sweet”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

How can I give more attentive hearing to the holy name?

Practice

Chant “Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare” for a few minutes, listening carefully.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Words Are Eternal NectarThis 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 3.21.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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