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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 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti
3.22.173.22.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great sagesince 3.22.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तां प्रार्थयन्तीं ललनाललाम-

मसेवितश्रीचरणैरद‍ृष्टाम् ।

वत्सां मनोरुच्चपद: स्वसारं

को नानुमन्येत बुधोऽभियाताम् ॥ १८ ॥

tāṁ prārthayantīṁ lalanā-lalāmam

asevita-śrī-caraṇair adṛṣṭām

vatsāṁ manor uccapadaḥ svasāraṁ

ko nānumanyeta budho ’bhiyātām

Translation

What wise man would not welcome her, the very ornament of womanhood, the beloved daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu and sister of Uttānapāda? Those who have not worshiped the gracious feet of the goddess of fortune cannot even perceive her, yet she has come of her own accord to seek my hand.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Appreciate Devahūti's Exceptional Qualifications

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni praised Devahūti as the ornament of beautiful, ornamented women. Her beauty surpassed the ornaments she wore.

  2. 2

    The purport notes that demigods and Gandharvas were attracted by her beauty. She was also the daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu and sister of Uttānapāda.

  3. 3

    Devahūti had come of her own accord to seek Kardama Muni's hand. Recognizing her beauty and qualifications, he asked what wise man would not welcome her.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni praised the beauty and qualification of Devahūti in different ways.
  • Devahūti was actually the ornament of all ornamented beautiful girls.
  • Besides her personal beauty, she was the daughter of Emperor Svāyambhuva and sister of King Uttānapāda.

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 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti

Kardama marries Devahūti with plans for later renunciation, and Manu returns home absorbed in Vāsudeva.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.22
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tāmher
  2. prārthayantīmseeking
  3. lalanā-lalāmamthe ornament of women
  4. asevita-śrī-caraṇaiḥby those who have not worshiped the feet of Lakṣmī
  5. adṛṣṭāmnot seen
  6. vatsāmbeloved daughter
  7. manoḥof Svāyambhuva Manu
  8. uccapadaḥof Uttānapāda
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “worshiped”

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

Do I take time to recognize the qualities of someone who approaches me sincerely?

Practice

Express one specific, sincere appreciation for someone's qualities today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAppreciate Devahūti's Exceptional QualificationsThis 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 3.22.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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