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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
3.21.52-543.21.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.55

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

अधर्मश्च समेधेत लोलुपैर्व्यङ्कुशैर्नृभि: ।

शयाने त्वयि लोकोऽयं दस्युग्रस्तो विनङ्‍क्ष्यति ॥ ५५ ॥

adharmaś ca samedheta

lolupair vyaṅkuśair nṛbhiḥ

śayāne tvayi loko ’yaṁ

dasyu-grasto vinaṅkṣyati

Translation

If you gave up all thought of the world’s situation, unrighteousness would flourish, for men who hanker only after money would be unopposed. Such miscreants would attack, and the world would perish.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Training and Vigilance Protect Society

  1. 1

    When rulers neglect the world’s condition, unchecked greed allows unrighteousness to flourish. Vigilant leadership is needed to protect social order.

  2. 2

    The varṇas and āśramas include regular principles of training. Just as professional work requires preparation, social responsibilities require proper training.

  3. 3

    Birth in a brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya family does not by itself establish qualification. Claims to status without the corresponding duties degrade the social system.

Key points from the purport
  • Because the scientific division of four varṇas and four āśramas is now being extinguished, the entire world is being governed by unwanted men who have no training in religion, politics or social order, and it is in a very deplorable condition.
  • When there is no such training, one simply claims that because he is born in a brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya family, he is therefore a brāhmaṇa or a kṣatriya, even though he performs the duties of a śūdra.
  • It is clearly stated herein that unless there is the vigilance of a strong king, impious, unqualified men will claim a certain status in society, and that will make the social order perish.

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. adharmaḥunrighteousness
  2. caand
  3. samedhetawould flourish
  4. lolupaiḥsimply hankering after money
  5. vyaṅkuśaiḥuncontrolled
  6. nṛbhiḥby men
  7. śayāne tvayiwhen you lie down for rest
  8. lokaḥworld
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”, “principles”, “varṇas”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “rulers”

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

Where do I need more training rather than simply relying on a title or background?

Practice

Choose one responsibility you hold and spend a few minutes learning how to carry it out better.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTraining and Vigilance Protect SocietyThis 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 3.21.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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