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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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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
3.21.403.21.42-43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.41

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

मत्तद्विजगणैर्घुष्टं मत्तभ्रमरविभ्रमम् ।

मत्तबर्हिनटाटोपमाह्वयन्मत्तकोकिलम् ॥ ४१ ॥

matta-dvija-gaṇair ghuṣṭaṁ

matta-bhramara-vibhramam

matta-barhi-naṭāṭopam

āhvayan-matta-kokilam

Translation

The area resounded with the notes of overjoyed birds. Intoxicated bees wandered there, intoxicated peacocks proudly danced, and merry cuckoos called one another.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Joyful Sounds Around Bindu-sarovara

  1. 1

    The surroundings of Lake Bindu-sarovara resounded with the pleasant notes of overjoyed birds.

  2. 2

    After drinking honey, black bees wandered and hummed in intoxication.

  3. 3

    Merry peacocks danced like actors and actresses, while cuckoos called their mates very nicely.

Key points from the purport
  • The beauty of the pleasant sounds heard in the area surrounding Lake Bindu-sarovara is described here.
  • After drinking honey, the black bees became maddened, and they hummed in intoxication.
  • Merry peacocks danced just like actors and actresses, and merry cuckoos called their mates very nicely.

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. mattaoverjoyed
  2. dvijaof birds
  3. gaṇaiḥby flocks
  4. ghuṣṭamresounded
  5. mattaintoxicated
  6. bhramaraof bees
  7. vibhramamwandering
  8. mattamaddened
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

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “proudly”

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

Which sound or movement in this description helps me appreciate the lake’s beauty?

Practice

Read the translation slowly and picture its bees, dancing peacocks and calling cuckoos.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJoyful Sounds Around Bindu-sarovaraThis 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 3.21.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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