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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
3.21.553.22.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.56

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

अथापि पृच्छे त्वां वीर यदर्थं त्वमिहागत: ।

तद्वयं निर्व्यलीकेन प्रतिपद्यामहे हृदा ॥ ५६ ॥

athāpi pṛcche tvāṁ vīra

yad-arthaṁ tvam ihāgataḥ

tad vayaṁ nirvyalīkena

pratipadyāmahe hṛdā

Translation

In spite of all this, I ask you, O valiant King, the purpose for which you have come here. Whatever it may be, we shall carry it out without reservation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cooperate for Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni understood that the King had a special purpose in visiting his hermitage. He asked what it was and prepared to fulfill the King’s desire without reservation.

  2. 2

    Sages and kings gladly visited one another and helped fulfill each other’s purposes. The purport calls this reciprocal relationship bhakti-kārya.

  3. 3

    The royal order protected the brāhmaṇas so they could cultivate spiritual advancement. The brāhmaṇas instructed rulers on elevating the state and its citizens toward spiritual perfection.

Key points from the purport
  • When a guest comes to a friend’s house, it is understood that there is some special purpose.
  • Kardama Muni could understand that such a great king as Svāyambhuva, although traveling to inspect the condition of his kingdom, must have had some special purpose to come to his hermitage.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Twenty-first Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Conversation Between Manu and Kardama.”

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. atha apiin spite of all this
  2. pṛccheI ask
  3. tvāmyou
  4. vīraO valiant King
  5. yat-arthamthe purpose
  6. tvamyou
  7. ihahere
  8. āgataḥhave come
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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”, “rulers”, “citizens”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “bhakti-kārya”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “protected”

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 my willingness to help others support spiritual advancement?

Practice

Ask someone engaged in spiritual study what small practical help they need, and offer to do it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCooperate for Spiritual AdvancementThis 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 3.21.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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