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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
3.23.293.23.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.30

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

अथादर्शे स्वमात्मानं स्रग्विणं विरजाम्बरम् ।

विरजं कृतस्वस्त्ययनं कन्याभिर्बहुमानितम् ॥ ३० ॥

athādarśe svam ātmānaṁ

sragviṇaṁ virajāmbaram

virajaṁ kṛta-svastyayanaṁ

kanyābhir bahu-mānitam

Translation

Then in a mirror she beheld her own reflection. Her body was completely freed from all dirt, and she was adorned with a garland. Dressed in unsullied robes and decorated with auspicious marks of tilaka, she was served very respectfully by the maids.

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.

Cleanliness, Auspicious Marks, and Respect

  1. 1

    Devahūti looked at her own reflection in a mirror. Her body was completely free from dirt.

  2. 2

    She wore spotless robes and a garland, and she was decorated with auspicious marks of tilaka.

  3. 3

    The maids continued to serve her with great respect.

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. athathen
  2. ādarśein a mirror
  3. svam ātmānamher own reflection
  4. srak-viṇamadorned with a garland
  5. virajaunsullied
  6. ambaramrobes
  7. virajamfreed from all bodily dirt
  8. kṛta-svasti-ayanamdecorated with auspicious marks
  9. kanyābhiḥby the maids
  10. bahu-mānitamvery respectfully served
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “free from”

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

Which details show both Devahūti's renewed appearance and the respect she received?

Practice

Put on clean clothing today, recalling the cleanliness described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCleanliness, Auspicious Marks, 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 3.23.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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