1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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
3.21.73.21.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.21.8

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.21.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तावत्प्रसन्नो भगवान् पुष्कराक्ष: कृते युगे ।

दर्शयामास तं क्षत्त: शाब्दं ब्रह्म दधद्वपु: ॥ ८ ॥

tāvat prasanno bhagavān

puṣkarākṣaḥ kṛte yuge

darśayām āsa taṁ kṣattaḥ

śābdaṁ brahma dadhad vapuḥ

Translation

Then, in the Satya-yuga, the lotus-eyed Supreme Personality of Godhead, being pleased, showed Himself to that Kardama Muni and displayed His transcendental form, which can be understood only through the Vedas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Form Is Real, Not Imagined

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni attained success in Satya-yuga, when people lived for one hundred thousand years. Pleased with him, the Lord revealed His transcendental form.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s form is described in Vedic literature. It is not an arbitrary form invented to help someone concentrate.

  3. 3

    By the Lord’s divine grace, Kardama actually saw His eternal, blissful and transcendental form.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni attained success, and the Lord, being pleased with him, showed him His form, which is not imaginary.
  • But here it is very clearly said that the form which the Lord showed to Kardama Muni by His divine grace is described in the Vedic literature.
  • Kardama Muni did not discover any imaginary form of God, as alleged by rascals; he actually saw the eternal, blissful and transcendental form of the Lord.

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. tāvatthen
  2. prasannaḥbeing pleased
  3. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. puṣkara-akṣaḥlotus-eyed
  5. kṛte yugein the Satya-yuga
  6. darśayām āsashowed
  7. tamto that Kardama Muni
  8. kṣattaḥO Vidura
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.21

    In this verse: “grace”

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

Am I learning about the Lord’s form from scripture rather than inventing my own idea?

Practice

Reread the translation and reflect on the words “lotus-eyed” as a scriptural description of the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Form Is Real, Not ImaginedThis 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 3.21.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories