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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 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

3.23.33 3.23.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.34

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

यदा सस्मार ऋषभमृषीणां दयितं पतिम् ।

तत्र चास्ते सह स्त्रीभिर्यत्रास्ते स प्रजापति: ॥ ३४ ॥

yadā sasmāra ṛṣabham

ṛṣīṇāṁ dayitaṁ patim

tatra cāste saha strībhir

yatrāste sa prajāpatiḥ

Translation

When she thought of her great husband, the best of the sages, Kardama Muni, who was very dear to her, she, along with all the maidservants, at once appeared where he was.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Powers of Perfect Yogīs

1
Devahūti thought of her beloved husband, Kardama Muni, the best of the sages. She immediately appeared before him with the maidservants.
2
The purport explains that she had considered herself dirty and poorly dressed. The maidservants cared for her within the water.
3
Her immediate return illustrates the powers attained by perfect yogīs. They can immediately execute what they desire.

Key points from the purport

It appears from this verse that in the beginning Devahūti thought herself to be dirty and dressed in a very niggardly way.
When her husband asked her to enter the lake, she saw the maidservants, and they took care of her.
Everything was done within the water, and as soon as she thought of her beloved husband, Kardama, she was brought before him without delay.

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