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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
3.22.353.22.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.36

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

स एवं स्वान्तरं निन्ये युगानामेकसप्ततिम् ।

वासुदेवप्रसङ्गेन परिभूतगतित्रय: ॥ ३६ ॥

sa evaṁ svāntaraṁ ninye

yugānām eka-saptatim

vāsudeva-prasaṅgena

paribhūta-gati-trayaḥ

Translation

He passed his time, which lasted seventy-one cycles of the four ages [71 × 4,320,000 years], always thinking of Vāsudeva and always engaged in matters regarding Vāsudeva. Thus he transcended the three destinations.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Goes Beyond Liberation

  1. 1

    The three destinations belong to those controlled by goodness, passion and ignorance. Kṛṣṇa consciousness raises one above these modes of material nature.

  2. 2

    Manu always thought of Vāsudeva and engaged in matters concerning Him. Although he appeared absorbed in material happiness, he remained in the transcendental stage.

  3. 3

    One fully engaged in devotional service is always liberated and situated in self-realization. Devotees seek service to Kṛṣṇa rather than material gain, sense gratification or even liberation.

Key points from the purport
  • The three destinations are meant for persons who are under the control of the three modes of material nature.
  • But one who is Kṛṣṇa conscious is above these three modes of material nature.
  • It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā that anyone who engages in devotional service to the Lord automatically becomes transcendental to the three destinations of material nature and is situated in the brahma-bhūta, or self-realized, stage.

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. saḥhe (Svāyambhuva Manu)
  2. evamthus
  3. sva-antaramhis own period
  4. ninyepassed
  5. yugānāmof the cycles of four ages
  6. eka-saptatimseventy-one
  7. vāsudevawith Vāsudeva
  8. prasaṅgenaby topics connected
  9. paribhūtatranscended
  10. gati-trayaḥthe three destinations
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

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 seeking devotional service itself, or mainly the benefits I hope it will bring?

Practice

Set aside five minutes to think about Vāsudeva, with the intention of serving Him rather than asking for a material benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Goes Beyond LiberationThis 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 3.22.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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