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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
3.22.373.22.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

य: पृष्टो मुनिभि: प्राह धर्मान्नानाविदाञ्छुभान् ।

नृणां वर्णाश्रमाणां च सर्वभूतहित: सदा ॥ ३८ ॥

yaḥ pṛṣṭo munibhiḥ prāha

dharmān nānā-vidhāñ chubhān

nṛṇāṁ varṇāśramāṇāṁ ca

sarva-bhūta-hitaḥ sadā

Translation

In reply to questions asked by certain sages, he [Svāyambhuva Manu], out of compassion for all living entities, taught the diverse sacred duties of men in general and the different varṇas and āśramas.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Teach Sacred Duties With Compassion

  1. 1

    Certain sages asked Svāyambhuva Manu questions. He responded by teaching sacred duties.

  2. 2

    His teachings addressed people in general as well as the different varṇas and āśramas. The duties he described were diverse.

  3. 3

    Manu taught out of compassion for all living entities. Concern for their welfare guided his instruction.

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. yaḥwho
  2. pṛṣṭaḥbeing questioned
  3. munibhiḥby the sages
  4. prāhaspoke
  5. dharmānthe duties
  6. nānā-vidhānmany varieties
  7. śubhānauspicious
  8. nṛṇāmof human society
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “duties”, “varṇas”, “āśramas”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “compassion”, “welfare”

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

When I offer guidance, is my intention genuinely compassionate?

Practice

If someone asks you for guidance today, pause to consider their welfare before answering.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTeach Sacred Duties With CompassionThis 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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