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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
3.21.373.21.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.21.38-39

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

यस्मिन् भगवतो नेत्रान्न्यपतन्नश्रुबिन्दव: ।

कृपया सम्परीतस्य प्रपन्नेऽर्पितया भृशम् ॥ ३८ ॥

तद्वै बिन्दुसरो नाम सरस्वत्या परिप्लुतम् ।

पुण्यं शिवामृतजलं महर्षिगणसेवितम् ॥ ३९ ॥

yasmin bhagavato netrān

nyapatann aśru-bindavaḥ

kṛpayā samparītasya

prapanne ’rpitayā bhṛśam

tad vai bindusaro nāma

sarasvatyā pariplutam

puṇyaṁ śivāmṛta-jalaṁ

maharṣi-gaṇa-sevitam

Translation

The holy Lake Bindu-sarovara, flooded by the waters of the river Sarasvatī, was resorted to by hosts of eminent sages. Its holy water was not only auspicious but as sweet as nectar. It was called Bindu-sarovara because drops of tears had fallen there from the eyes of the Lord, who was overwhelmed by extreme compassion for the sage who had sought His protection.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Compassion Makes Bindu-sarovara Sacred

  1. 1

    Kardama underwent austerities to gain the Lord’s causeless mercy. Seeing the sage who sought His protection, the Lord shed tears of compassion and pleasure.

  2. 2

    Those tears became Bindu-sarovara. Great sages worship it because the Lord and the tears from His eyes are not different.

  3. 3

    The lake’s water is described as śivāmṛta jala, auspicious and sweet as nectar. The purport describes its power to relieve material diseases as accepted by great scholars and authorities.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama underwent austerities to gain the causeless mercy of the Lord, and when the Lord arrived there He was so compassionate that in pleasure He shed tears, which became Bindu-sarovara.
  • Bindu-sarovara is therefore worshiped by great sages and learned scholars because, according to the philosophy of the Absolute Truth, the Lord and the tears from His eyes are not different.
  • Just as drops of perspiration which fell from the toe of the Lord became the sacred Ganges, so teardrops from the transcendental eyes of the Lord became Bindu-sarovara.

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. yasminin which
  2. bhagavataḥof the Lord
  3. netrātfrom the eye
  4. nyapatanfell down
  5. aśru-bindavaḥteardrops
  6. kṛpayāby compassion
  7. samparītasyawho was overwhelmed
  8. prapanneon the surrendered soul (Kardama)
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 does the Lord’s compassion encourage me to seek His protection?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask the Lord for His protection and mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Compassion Makes Bindu-sarovara SacredThis 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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