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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 23: Devahūti’s Lamentation
3.23.243.23.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.25

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

अङ्गं च मलपङ्केन संछन्नं शबलस्तनम् ।

आविवेश सरस्वत्या: सर: शिवजलाशयम् ॥ २५ ॥

aṅgaṁ ca mala-paṅkena

sañchannaṁ śabala-stanam

āviveśa sarasvatyāḥ

saraḥ śiva-jalāśayam

Translation

Her body was coated with a thick layer of dirt, and her breasts were discolored. She dove, however, into the lake, which contained the sacred waters of the Sarasvatī.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devahūti Enters the Sacred Lake

  1. 1

    Devahūti's body was coated with a thick layer of dirt.

  2. 2

    The translation describes her breasts as discolored, showing her bodily condition before bathing.

  3. 3

    She entered the lake, which contained the sacred waters of the Sarasvatī.

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. aṅgambody
  2. caand
  3. mala-paṅkenawith dirt
  4. sañchannamcovered
  5. śabaladiscolored
  6. stanambreasts
  7. āviveśashe entered
  8. sarasvatyāḥof the river Sarasvatī
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 contrast do you notice between Devahūti's bodily condition and the sacred waters she enters?

Practice

Read the verse slowly once, paying attention to Devahūti's act of entering the sacred water.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevahūti Enters the Sacred LakeThis 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 3.23.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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