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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
3.23.213.23.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.22

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

ईद‍ृग्गृहं तत्पश्यन्तीं नातिप्रीतेन चेतसा ।

सर्वभूताशयाभिज्ञ: प्रावोचत्कर्दम: स्वयम् ॥ २२ ॥

īdṛg gṛhaṁ tat paśyantīṁ

nātiprītena cetasā

sarva-bhūtāśayābhijñaḥ

prāvocat kardamaḥ svayam

Translation

When he saw Devahūti looking at the gigantic opulent palace with a displeased heart, Kardama Muni could understand her feelings because he could study the heart of anyone. Thus he personally addressed his wife as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding Another Person's Uneasiness

  1. 1

    Devahūti had spent a long time in the hermitage without taking much care of her body. She was covered with dirt and wore poor clothing.

  2. 2

    Seeing the opulent palace, she wondered how she could live there in her present condition. Its grandeur did not make her heart feel pleased.

  3. 3

    Kardama Muni could understand the heart of anyone. Understanding his wife's feelings, he personally spoke to her.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni was surprised that he could produce such a palace, and similarly his wife, Devahūti, was also astonished.
  • How could she live in that opulent palace?
  • Kardama Muni could understand her astonishment, and thus he spoke as follows.

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. īdṛksuch
  2. gṛhamhouse
  3. tatthat
  4. paśyantīmlooking at
  5. na atiprītenanot much pleased
  6. cetasāwith a heart
  7. sarva-bhūtaof everyone
  8. āśaya-abhijñaḥunderstanding the heart
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “understand”

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

When someone seems displeased, do you pause to consider what may be troubling them?

Practice

Ask someone who seems uneasy what is troubling them, and listen before offering advice.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstanding Another Person's UneasinessThis 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 3.23.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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