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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
3.23.263.23.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.27

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

तां दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय प्रोचु: प्राञ्जलय: स्त्रिय: ।

वयं कर्मकरीस्तुभ्यं शाधि न: करवाम किम् ॥ २७ ॥

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sahasotthāya

procuḥ prāñjalayaḥ striyaḥ

vayaṁ karma-karīs tubhyaṁ

śādhi naḥ karavāma kim

Translation

Seeing her, the damsels suddenly rose and said with folded hands, “We are your maidservants. Tell us what we can do for you.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Readiness to Serve With Respect

  1. 1

    Devahūti had been wondering what to do in the great palace while wearing dirty clothes. By Kardama Muni's yogic powers, one thousand maidservants were ready to serve her.

  2. 2

    Seeing her, the maidservants immediately rose and addressed her with folded hands.

  3. 3

    They presented themselves as her servants and asked what they could do. They simply awaited her orders.

Key points from the purport
  • While Devahūti was thinking of what to do in that great palace in her dirty clothes, there were at once, by the yogic powers of Kardama Muni, one thousand maidservants prepared to serve her.
  • They appeared before Devahūti within the water and presented themselves as her maidservants, simply awaiting her orders.

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. tāmher
  2. dṛṣṭvāseeing
  3. sahasāsuddenly
  4. utthāyarising
  5. procuḥthey said
  6. prāñjalayaḥwith folded hands
  7. striyaḥthe damsels
  8. vayamwe
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

How can asking what is needed make your service more thoughtful?

Practice

Ask someone, “What can I do for you?” Then carry out one small task they request.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReadiness to Serve With 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.

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