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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
3.21.45-473.21.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.48

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

अथोटजमुपायातं नृदेवं प्रणतं पुर: ।

सपर्यया पर्यगृह्णात्प्रतिनन्द्यानुरूपया ॥ ४८ ॥

athoṭajam upāyātaṁ

nṛdevaṁ praṇataṁ puraḥ

saparyayā paryagṛhṇāt

pratinandyānurūpayā

Translation

Seeing that the monarch had come to his hermitage and was bowing before him, the sage greeted him with benediction and received him with due honor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humility and Honor in Meeting Others

  1. 1

    Emperor Svāyambhuva Manu approached Kardama’s simple cottage of dried leaves.

  2. 2

    Despite his royal position, Manu offered respectful obeisances to the sage.

  3. 3

    Kardama greeted the King with blessings and received him with fitting honor. The purport explains that offering such blessings was the hermit’s duty.

Key points from the purport
  • Emperor Svāyambhuva Manu not only approached the cottage of dried leaves possessed by the hermit Kardama but also offered respectful obeisances unto him.
  • Similarly, it was the duty of the hermit to offer blessings to kings who used to approach his hermitage in the jungle.

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. athathen
  2. uṭajamthe hermitage
  3. upāyātamapproached
  4. nṛdevamthe monarch
  5. praṇatambowed down
  6. puraḥin front
  7. saparyayāwith honor
  8. paryagṛhṇātreceived him
  9. pratinandyagreeting him
  10. anurūpayābefitting the King’s position
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “king”, “emperor”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “blessings”

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 show genuine respect without being influenced by someone’s outward circumstances?

Practice

Greet someone respectfully today and give them your attentive welcome.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumility and Honor in Meeting OthersThis 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 3.21.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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