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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
3.21.353.21.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.36

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

मनु: स्यन्दनमास्थाय शातकौम्भपरिच्छदम् ।

आरोप्य स्वां दुहितरं सभार्य: पर्यटन्महीम् ॥ ३६ ॥

manuḥ syandanam āsthāya

śātakaumbha-paricchadam

āropya svāṁ duhitaraṁ

sa-bhāryaḥ paryaṭan mahīm

Translation

Svāyambhuva Manu, with his wife, mounted his chariot, which was decorated with golden ornaments. Placing his daughter on it with them, he began traveling all over the earth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Love Takes Personal Responsibility

  1. 1

    As ruler of the world, Svāyambhuva Manu could have sent an agent to find a suitable husband for his daughter.

  2. 2

    Because he loved her as a father should, he undertook the search himself.

  3. 3

    He left his state in a golden chariot, taking his wife and daughter with him.

Key points from the purport
  • The Emperor Manu, as the great ruler of the world, could have engaged an agent to find a suitable husband for his daughter, but because he loved her just as a father should, he himself left his state on a golden chariot, with only his wife, to find her a suitable husband.

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. manuḥSvāyambhuva Manu
  2. syandanamthe chariot
  3. āsthāyahaving mounted
  4. śātakaumbhamade of gold
  5. paricchadamthe outer cover
  6. āropyaputting on
  7. svāmhis own
  8. duhitaramdaughter
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “father”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “ruler”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “loved”

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

What responsibility toward someone I love deserves my personal attention?

Practice

Personally attend to one small need of a family member today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLove Takes Personal ResponsibilityThis 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 3.21.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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