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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 23: Devahūti’s Lamentation
3.23.103.23.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.23.11inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तत्रेतिकृत्यमुपशिक्ष यथोपदेशं

येनैष मे कर्शितोऽतिरिरंसयात्मा ।

सिद्ध्येत ते कृतमनोभवधर्षिताया

दीनस्तदीश भवनं सद‍ृशं विचक्ष्व ॥ ११ ॥

tatreti-kṛtyam upaśikṣa yathopadeśaṁ

yenaiṣa me karśito ’tiriraṁsayātmā

siddhyeta te kṛta-manobhava-dharṣitāyā

dīnas tad īśa bhavanaṁ sadṛśaṁ vicakṣva

Translation

Devahūti continued: My dear lord, I am struck by excited emotion for you. Therefore kindly make what arrangements must be made according to the scriptures so that my skinny body, emaciated through unsatisfied passion, may be rendered fit for you. Also, my lord, please think of a suitable house for this purpose.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Let Scripture Guide Household Life

  1. 1

    Vedic literature guides both spiritual life and material existence, with spiritual perfection as the ultimate aim.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that sex life is especially meant for having good children. It describes scriptural arrangements intended to create a favorable mental situation for conception.

  3. 3

    Devahūti asked for guidance in restoring her weakened body and preparing a suitable home. She wanted these arrangements made according to scripture.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore Devahūti asked her husband how to prepare herself for sex life according to the Vedic instructions.
  • The circumstances for creating good children are mentioned in kāma-śāstra, the scripture in which suitable arrangements are prescribed for factually glorious sex life.
  • Devahūti wanted the passion of her husband to be increased by the arrangement mentioned in the kāma-śāstra.

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 23: Devahūti’s Lamentation

Devahūti serves Kardama, shares his extraordinary household life, and asks who will comfort her after his departure.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.23
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrain that
  2. iti-kṛtyamwhat is necessary to be done
  3. upaśikṣaperform
  4. yathāaccording to
  5. upadeśaminstruction in scripture
  6. yenaby which
  7. eṣaḥthis
  8. memy
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “children”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “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

Do I keep spiritual perfection in view when planning for material comfort?

Practice

Choose one household task today and pause to consider how it can support your spiritual life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLet Scripture Guide Household LifeThis 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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