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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
3.21.253.21.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.21.24inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स चेह विप्र राजर्षिर्महिष्या शतरूपया ।

आयास्यति दिद‍ृक्षुस्त्वां परश्वो धर्मकोविद: ॥ २६ ॥

sa ceha vipra rājarṣir

mahiṣyā śatarūpayā

āyāsyati didṛkṣus tvāṁ

paraśvo dharma-kovidaḥ

Translation

The day after tomorrow, O brāhmaṇa, that celebrated emperor, who is expert in religious activities, will come here with his queen, Śatarūpā, wishing to see you.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Religious Emperor Seeks a Meeting

  1. 1

    The Lord announces that the celebrated emperor will come to see the brāhmaṇa. He specifies that the visit will take place the day after tomorrow.

  2. 2

    The emperor will come with his queen, Śatarūpā. Both are included in the Lord’s announcement of the visit.

  3. 3

    The emperor is described as expert in religious activities. Despite his royal position, he wishes to visit the brāhmaṇa.

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. saḥSvāyambhuva Manu
  2. caand
  3. ihahere
  4. vipraO holy brāhmaṇa
  5. rāja-ṛṣiḥthe saintly king
  6. mahiṣyāalong with his queen
  7. śatarūpayācalled Śatarūpā
  8. āyāsyatiwill come
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “religious”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “emperor”

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

Do I make time to meet people dedicated to religious life?

Practice

Take one small step toward arranging a conversation with someone dedicated to religious life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Religious Emperor Seeks a MeetingThis 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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