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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
3.22.203.22.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.22.21inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

स उग्रधन्वन्नियदेवाबभाषे

आसीच्च तूष्णीमरविन्दनाभम् ।

धियोपगृह्णन् स्मितशोभितेन

मुखेन चेतो लुलुभे देवहूत्या: ॥ २१ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sa ugra-dhanvann iyad evābabhāṣe

āsīc ca tūṣṇīm aravinda-nābham

dhiyopagṛhṇan smita-śobhitena

mukhena ceto lulubhe devahūtyāḥ

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: O great warrior Vidura, the sage Kardama said this much only and then became silent, thinking of his worshipable Lord Viṣṇu, who has a lotus on His navel. As he silently smiled, his face captured the mind of Devahūti, who began to meditate upon the great sage.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remembering Kṛṣṇa Even in Silence

  1. 1

    As soon as Kardama Muni became silent, he began thinking of his worshipable Lord Viṣṇu. This shows his full absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees always think of Kṛṣṇa, even when they appear to be thinking or acting otherwise.

  3. 3

    The smile of a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is attractive. Kardama Muni’s smiling face captivated Devahūti’s mind.

Key points from the purport
  • It appears that Kardama Muni was fully absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because as soon as he became silent, he at once began to think of Lord Viṣṇu.
  • Pure devotees are so absorbed in thought of Kṛṣṇa that they have no other engagement; although they may seem to think or act otherwise, they are always thinking of Kṛṣṇa.
  • The smile of such a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is so attractive that simply by smiling he wins so many admirers, disciples and followers.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥthe great sage Maitreya
  2. uvācasaid
  3. saḥhe (Kardama)
  4. ugra-dhanvanO great warrior Vidura
  5. iyatthis much
  6. evaonly
  7. ābabhāṣespoke
  8. āsītbecame
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshipable”, “devotees”

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 does my mind turn when I become silent?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to remember Lord Viṣṇu.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayRemembering Kṛṣṇa Even in SilenceThis 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 3.22.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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