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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
3.22.33.22.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.4

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Manusince 3.22.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अतो ह्यन्योन्यमात्मानं ब्रह्म क्षत्रं च रक्षत: ।

रक्षति स्माव्ययो देव: स य: सदसदात्मक: ॥ ४ ॥

ato hy anyonyam ātmānaṁ

brahma kṣatraṁ ca rakṣataḥ

rakṣati smāvyayo devaḥ

sa yaḥ sad-asad-ātmakaḥ

Translation

That is why the brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas protect each other, as well as themselves; and the Lord Himself, who is both the cause and effect and is yet immutable, protects them through each other.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cooperate to Please the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    The system of varṇa and āśrama is meant to uplift everyone to spiritual realization through cooperation. Brāhmaṇas enlighten the kṣatriyas, and kṣatriyas protect the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    The Lord is the real protector, while His energies carry out the activities. When people cooperate fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, He is pleased and society receives His protection.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the Supersoul and proprietor of all bodies. The individual soul and Supersoul are one in spiritual quality but remain distinct.

Key points from the purport
  • Although individual souls are all different, the Superself, or Supersoul, is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The individual soul is the proprietor of the individual body, but the Supersoul, the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the proprietor of all bodies everywhere.
  • He is the supreme proprietor; therefore He does not become divided by protecting the different individual souls.

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. ataḥhence
  2. hicertainly
  3. anyonyameach other
  4. ātmānamthe self
  5. brahmathe brāhmaṇas
  6. kṣatramthe kṣatriyas
  7. caand
  8. rakṣataḥprotect
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: “varṇa”, “āśrama”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “protect”

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 can I use my particular abilities to cooperate with others in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Help someone complete one task in service to Kṛṣṇa, valuing their contribution alongside your own.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCooperate to Please the Supreme LordThis 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 3.22.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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