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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.23.323.23.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.33

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

सुदता सुभ्रुवा श्लक्ष्णस्‍निग्धापाङ्गेन चक्षुषा ।

पद्मकोशस्पृधा नीलैरलकैश्च लसन्मुखम् ॥ ३३ ॥

sudatā subhruvā ślakṣṇa-

snigdhāpāṅgena cakṣuṣā

padma-kośa-spṛdhā nīlair

alakaiś ca lasan-mukham

Translation

Her countenance shone, with beautiful teeth and charming eyebrows. Her eyes, distinguished by lovely moist corners, defeated the beauty of lotus buds. Her face was surrounded by dark curling tresses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Beauty Described Through the Lotus

  1. 1

    Devahūti’s face shone with beautiful teeth and charming eyebrows, framed by dark curling hair.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that white teeth are greatly appreciated in Vedic culture. Her white teeth increased the beauty of her face.

  3. 3

    An attractive face is compared to a lotus flower, and its eyes to lotus petals. The translation describes her eyes as surpassing the beauty of lotus buds.

Key points from the purport
  • According to Vedic culture, white teeth are very much appreciated.
  • Devahūti’s white teeth increased the beauty of her face and made it look like a lotus flower.
  • When a face looks very attractive, the eyes are generally compared to lotus petals and the face to a lotus flower.

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. su-datāwith beautiful teeth
  2. su-bhruvāwith charming eyebrows
  3. ślakṣṇalovely
  4. snigdhamoist
  5. apāṅgenacorners of eyes
  6. cakṣuṣāwith eyes
  7. padma-kośalotus buds
  8. spṛdhādefeating
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “lovely”

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 does the lotus comparison help you picture the verse’s description?

Practice

Reread the verse slowly and note its comparisons with the lotus.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBeauty Described Through the LotusThis 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 3.23.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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