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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
3.23.233.23.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.24

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

सा तद्भर्तु: समादाय वच: कुवलयेक्षणा ।

सरजं बिभ्रती वासो वेणीभूतांश्च मूर्धजान् ॥ २४ ॥

sā tad bhartuḥ samādāya

vacaḥ kuvalayekṣaṇā

sarajaṁ bibhratī vāso

veṇī-bhūtāṁś ca mūrdhajān

Translation

The lotus-eyed Devahūti accepted the order of her husband. Because of her dirty dress and the locks of matted hair on her head, she did not look very attractive.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devahūti's Dedication to Service

  1. 1

    The lotus-eyed Devahūti accepted her husband's instruction.

  2. 2

    Her clothing was dirty, and her hair had become matted. The purport says it appears that her hair had remained uncombed for many years.

  3. 3

    She had neglected her bodily dress and comforts to engage in her husband's service.

Key points from the purport
  • It appears that Devahūti’s hair had remained uncombed for many years and had become complicated in tangles.
  • In other words, she neglected her bodily dress and comforts to engage in the service of her husband.

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. sāshe
  2. tatthen
  3. bhartuḥof her husband
  4. samādāyaaccepting
  5. vacaḥthe words
  6. kuvalaya-īkṣaṇāthe lotus-eyed
  7. sa-rajamdirty
  8. bibhratīwearing
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

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

What does Devahūti's condition reveal about her dedication to serving her husband?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes of personal leisure to perform one helpful task for someone.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevahūti's Dedication to ServiceThis 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 3.23.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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