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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
3.23.303.23.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.31

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

स्‍नातं कृतशिर:स्‍नानं सर्वाभरणभूषितम् ।

निष्कग्रीवं वलयिनं कूजत्काञ्चननूपुरम् ॥ ३१ ॥

snātaṁ kṛta-śiraḥ-snānaṁ

sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitam

niṣka-grīvaṁ valayinaṁ

kūjat-kāñcana-nūpuram

Translation

Her entire body, including her head, was completely bathed, and she was decorated all over with ornaments. She wore a special necklace with a locket. There were bangles on her wrists and tinkling anklets of gold about her ankles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Careful Bathing According to Prescribed Duties

  1. 1

    Devahūti bathed her entire body, including her head, and was decorated with ornaments, a necklace, bangles and golden anklets.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that the smṛti-śāstra ordinarily prescribes bathing up to the neck for ladies. Washing the hair daily is not required.

  3. 3

    An ordinary bath is called mala-snāna, while a full bath including the head is called śiraḥ-snāna. The commentators also prescribe sufficient oil for the head on such occasions.

Key points from the purport
  • The hair on the head does not necessarily have to be washed daily because the mass of wet hair may cause a cold.
  • For ladies, therefore, taking a bath up to the neck is ordinarily prescribed, and they take a full bath only on certain occasions.
  • When a lady takes an ordinary bath it is called mala-snāna, and when she takes a full bath, including the head, it is called śiraḥ-snāna.

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. snātambathed
  2. kṛta-śiraḥincluding the head
  3. snānambathing
  4. sarvaall over
  5. ābharaṇawith ornaments
  6. bhūṣitamdecorated
  7. niṣkaa gold necklace with a locket
  8. grīvamon the neck
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 distinction does the purport make between ordinary bathing and a full bath?

Practice

Today, write down the meanings of mala-snāna and śiraḥ-snāna.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCareful Bathing According to Prescribed DutiesThis 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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