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Study a Verse

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

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Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

3.23.31 3.23.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.32

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

श्रोण्योरध्यस्तया काञ्‍च्या काञ्चन्या बहुरत्नया ।

हारेण च महार्हेण रुचकेन च भूषितम् ॥ ३२ ॥

śroṇyor adhyastayā kāñcyā

kāñcanyā bahu-ratnayā

hāreṇa ca mahārheṇa

rucakena ca bhūṣitam

Translation

About her hips she wore a girdle of gold, set with numerous jewels, and she was further adorned with a precious pearl necklace and auspicious substances.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Adorned With Auspicious Substances

1
Devahūti wore a golden girdle set with many jewels and a precious pearl necklace.
2
The purport names saffron, kuṅkuma and sandalwood pulp as auspicious substances.
3
Turmeric mixed with mustard seed oil is applied before bathing. All kinds of auspicious substances were used in bathing Devahūti from top to toe.

Key points from the purport

Auspicious substances include saffron, kuṅkuma and sandalwood pulp.
Before taking a bath there are other auspicious substances, such as turmeric mixed with mustard seed oil, which are smeared all over the body.
All kinds of auspicious substances were used to bathe Devahūti from top to toe.

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