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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
3.23.163.23.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.17

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

तत्र तत्र विनिक्षिप्तनानाशिल्पोपशोभितम् ।

महामरकतस्थल्या जुष्टं विद्रुमवेदिभि: ॥ १७ ॥

tatra tatra vinikṣipta-

nānā-śilpopaśobhitam

mahā-marakata-sthalyā

juṣṭaṁ vidruma-vedibhiḥ

Translation

Its beauty was enhanced by artistic engravings here and there on the walls. The floor was of emerald, with coral daises.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Opulence That Challenges Architectural Pride

  1. 1

    Artistic engravings on the walls enhanced the palace’s beauty.

  2. 2

    The palace constructed through Kardama Muni’s yogic powers had an emerald floor and raised platforms of coral.

  3. 3

    The purport contrasts these precious materials with modern floors of colored cement. It questions the pride people take in present-day architectural art.

Key points from the purport
  • At the present moment people are very proud of their architectural art, yet floors are generally decorated with colored cement.
  • It appears, however, that the castle constructed by the yogic powers of Kardama Muni had floors of emerald with coral daises.

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. tatra tatrahere and there
  2. vinikṣiptaplaced
  3. nānāvarious
  4. śilpaby artistic engravings
  5. upaśobhitamextraordinarily beautiful
  6. mahā-marakataof great emeralds
  7. sthalyāwith a floor
  8. juṣṭamfurnished
  9. vidrumaof coral
  10. vedibhiḥwith raised platforms (daises)
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: “materials”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “pride”

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 does this description challenge pride in modern achievements?

Practice

Notice one building today and reflect briefly on the limits of pride in architectural achievement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOpulence That Challenges Architectural PrideThis 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 3.23.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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