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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
3.23.13.23.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.2

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.23.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura
A turning point forDevahūti· Service and household life

विश्रम्भेणात्मशौचेन गौरवेण दमेन च ।

शुश्रूषया सौहृदेन वाचा मधुरया च भो: ॥ २ ॥

viśrambheṇātma-śaucena

gauraveṇa damena ca

śuśrūṣayā sauhṛdena

vācā madhurayā ca bhoḥ

Translation

O Vidura, Devahūti served her husband with intimacy and great respect, with control of the senses, with love and with sweet words.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve With Intimacy and Respect

  1. 1

    Devahūti served with viśrambheṇa, intimacy, and gauraveṇa, great reverence. The purport identifies both as important in serving the husband or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Intimacy should not become familiarity that breeds contempt. Devahūti’s service combined closeness with respect and control of the senses.

  3. 3

    She desired her husband’s good and spoke sweet words. The purport emphasizes that kind speech at home comforts someone agitated by material contacts outside.

Key points from the purport
  • The husband is a very intimate friend; therefore the wife must render service just like an intimate friend, and at the same time she must understand that the husband is superior in position, and thus she must offer him all respect.
  • Thus the natural instinct is that the husband wants to post himself as superior to the wife, and this must be observed.
  • Even if there is some wrong on the part of the husband, the wife must tolerate it, and thus there will be no misunderstanding between husband and wife.

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. viśrambheṇawith intimacy
  2. ātma-śaucenawith purity of mind and body
  3. gauraveṇawith great respect
  4. damenawith control of the senses
  5. caand
  6. śuśrūṣayāwith service
  7. sauhṛdenawith love
  8. vācāwith words
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “love”, “sweet”

  • 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

How can I keep respect alive in my closest relationships?

Practice

In one conversation at home today, pause before replying and choose gentle, respectful words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe With Intimacy and RespectThis 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 3.23.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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