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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
3.22.243.22.26-27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.25

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

अशक्नुवंस्तद्विरहं मुञ्चन् बाष्पकलां मुहु: ।

आसिञ्चदम्ब वत्सेति नेत्रोदैर्दुहितु: शिखा: ॥ २५ ॥

aśaknuvaṁs tad-virahaṁ

muñcan bāṣpa-kalāṁ muhuḥ

āsiñcad amba vatseti

netrodair duhituḥ śikhāḥ

Translation

The Emperor was unable to bear the separation of his daughter. Therefore tears poured from his eyes again and again, drenching his daughter’s head as he cried, “My dear mother! My dear daughter!”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Affection in the Pain of Separation

  1. 1

    The Emperor could not bear separation from his daughter. His tears repeatedly drenched her head.

  2. 2

    The word amba expresses affection: a father may address his daughter as “mother” or “my darling.”

  3. 3

    The purport describes responsibility for Devahūti’s care passing from her father to Kardama Muni. It also explains that Kardama Muni would later entrust that responsibility to Kapiladeva.

Key points from the purport
  • The feeling of separation occurs because until the daughter is married she remains the daughter of the father, but after her marriage she is no longer claimed as a daughter in the family; she must go to the husband’s house, for after marriage she becomes the property of the husband.
  • In old age, when the husband has taken sannyāsa and left home, she remains the property of the sons.
  • A woman is always dependent, either upon the father, husband or elderly sons.

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. aśaknuvanbeing unable to bear
  2. tat-virahamseparation from her
  3. muñcanshedding
  4. bāṣpa-kalāmtears
  5. muhuḥagain and again
  6. āsiñcathe drenched
  7. ambamy dear mother
  8. vatsamy dear daughter
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “separation”, “cried”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “mother”, “father”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “emperor”

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 do I express care when separation from someone dear is painful?

Practice

Send a brief, affectionate message to a family member you miss.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAffection in the Pain of SeparationThis 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 3.22.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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