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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
3.22.53.22.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.22.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Manusince 3.22.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दिष्टय‍ा मे भगवान् द‍ृष्टो दुर्दर्शो योऽकृतात्मनाम् ।

दिष्टय‍ा पादरज: स्पृष्टं शीर्ष्णा मे भवत: शिवम् ॥ ६ ॥

diṣṭyā me bhagavān dṛṣṭo

durdarśo yo ’kṛtātmanām

diṣṭyā pāda-rajaḥ spṛṣṭaṁ

śīrṣṇā me bhavataḥ śivam

Translation

It is my good fortune that I have been able to see you, for you cannot easily be seen by persons who have not subdued the mind or controlled the senses. I am all the more fortunate to have touched with my head the blessed dust of your feet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Perfection Comes Through Devotees’ Grace

  1. 1

    A great soul is fully engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness for the Lord’s service. Manu considered seeing such a devotee and touching the dust of his feet a great blessing.

  2. 2

    The disciplic succession is essential for spiritual success. One becomes a great soul by the grace of a great spiritual master.

  3. 3

    Religious rituals alone cannot bring spiritual perfection. One must take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and work faithfully and sincerely under his direction.

Key points from the purport
  • The perfection of transcendental life can be achieved simply by touching the holy dust of the lotus feet of a holy man.
  • In the Bhāgavatam it is said, mahat-pāda-rajo-’bhiṣekam, which means to be blessed by the holy dust of the lotus feet of a mahat, a great devotee.
  • Unless one is fortunate enough to have the dust of the lotus feet of a mahātmā on one’s head, there is no possibility of perfection in spiritual life.

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. diṣṭyāby good fortune
  2. memy
  3. bhagavānall-powerful
  4. dṛṣṭaḥis seen
  5. durdarśaḥnot easily seen
  6. yaḥwho
  7. akṛta-ātmanāmof those who have not controlled the mind and senses
  8. diṣṭyāby my good fortune
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.22

    In this verse: “blessed”, “grace”, “blessing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”

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 spiritual progress only through outward practices, or also through sincere guidance and service?

Practice

Read one instruction from a bona fide spiritual master and take one small step toward following it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.22's connections

Live this todaySpiritual Perfection Comes Through Devotees’ GraceThis 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 3.22.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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