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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 22: The Marriage of Kardama Muni and Devahūti
3.22.333.22.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.34

Mukti· Liberation
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

निष्णातं योगमायासु मुनिं स्वायम्भुवं मनुम् ।

यदाभ्रंशयितुं भोगा न शेकुर्भगवत्परम् ॥ ३४ ॥

niṣṇātaṁ yoga-māyāsu

muniṁ svāyambhuvaṁ manum

yad ābhraṁśayituṁ bhogā

na śekur bhagavat-param

Translation

Thus Svāyambhuva Manu was a saintly king. Although absorbed in material happiness, he was not dragged to the lowest grade of life, for he always enjoyed his material happiness in a Kṛṣṇa conscious atmosphere.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Regulate Enjoyment Through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Unrestricted sense enjoyment can drag a person down to animal life. Svāyambhuva Manu remained saintly because his home and kingdom were completely Kṛṣṇa conscious.

  2. 2

    Temple worship and household Deity worship create an atmosphere favorable for pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Material advantages need not prevent spiritual advancement when enjoyment is regulated.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa consciousness regulates habits of sense enjoyment rather than simply stopping material enjoyment. By chanting the holy names of the Lord, one can become liberated even in this life.

Key points from the purport
  • The kingly happiness of material enjoyment generally drags one to the lowest grade of life, namely degradation to animal life, because of unrestricted sense enjoyment.
  • Therefore, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can give the people in general the best opportunity to utilize their human life in the midst of material enjoyment.
  • Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not stop them in their propensity for material enjoyment, but simply regulates their habits in the life of sense enjoyment.

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. niṣṇātamabsorbed
  2. yoga-māyāsuin temporary enjoyment
  3. munimwho was equal to a saint
  4. svāyambhuvamSvāyambhuva
  5. manumManu
  6. yatfrom which
  7. ābhraṁśayitumto cause to deviate
  8. bhogāḥmaterial enjoyments
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “material”, “household”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “king”, “kingdom”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

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

Which habit of enjoyment could I regulate to make more room for Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRegulate Enjoyment Through Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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.

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