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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.23.123.23.14-15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.23.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सर्वकामदुघं दिव्यं सर्वरत्नसमन्वितम् ।

सर्वर्द्ध्युपचयोदर्कं मणिस्तम्भैरुपस्कृतम् ॥ १३ ॥

sarva-kāma-dughaṁ divyaṁ

sarva-ratna-samanvitam

sarvarddhy-upacayodarkaṁ

maṇi-stambhair upaskṛtam

Translation

It was a wonderful structure, bedecked with all sorts of jewels, adorned with pillars of precious stones, and capable of yielding whatever one desired. It was equipped with every form of furniture and wealth, which tended to increase in the course of time.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Consider Power Beyond Our Limited Imagination

  1. 1

    Kardama’s castle was not merely an imagined “castle in the air.” He actually constructed it through his mystic power of yoga.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead creates planets carrying millions of castles in space. The purport uses this to explain why one aerial castle is possible for a perfected yogī.

  3. 3

    The mansion yielded whatever one desired, and its jeweled wealth increased rather than deteriorated. The purport also describes Lord Kṛṣṇa’s palaces as so richly jeweled that they needed no lamplight at night.

Key points from the purport
  • The castle created in the sky by Kardama Muni may be called “a castle in the air,” but by his mystic power of yoga Kardama Muni actually constructed a huge castle in the air.
  • The castle is described as sarva-kāma-dugham, “yielding whatever one desired.”
  • The castles constructed by Lord Kṛṣṇa for His 16,108 wives were so bedecked with jewels that there was no need of lamplight during the night.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sarvaall
  2. kāmadesires
  3. dughamyielding
  4. divyamwonderful
  5. sarva-ratnaall sorts of jewels
  6. samanvitambedecked with
  7. sarvaall
  8. ṛddhiof wealth
3

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

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 might my limited imagination affect my understanding of the Supreme Lord’s power?

Practice

Reread the comparison between one aerial castle and the Lord’s many planets, reflecting on His creative power.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConsider Power Beyond Our Limited ImaginationThis 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 3.23.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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