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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
3.23.36-373.23.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.38

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

तस्मिन्नलुप्तमहिमा प्रिययानुरक्तो

विद्याधरीभिरुपचीर्णवपुर्विमाने ।

बभ्राज उत्कचकुमुद्गणवानपीच्य-

स्ताराभिरावृत इवोडुपतिर्नभ:स्थ: ॥ ३८ ॥

tasminn alupta-mahimā priyayānurakto

vidyādharībhir upacīrṇa-vapur vimāne

babhrāja utkaca-kumud-gaṇavān apīcyas

tārābhir āvṛta ivoḍu-patir nabhaḥ-sthaḥ

Translation

Though seemingly attached to his beloved consort while served by the Gandharva girls, the sage did not lose his glory, which was mastery over his self. In the aerial mansion, Kardama Muni with his consort shone as charmingly as the moon in the midst of the stars in the sky, which causes rows of lilies to open in ponds at night.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Self-Mastery Amid Beautiful Surroundings

  1. 1

    Although Kardama Muni seemed attached to his beloved wife, he did not lose his glory of self-mastery.

  2. 2

    In the aerial mansion, Kardama Muni appeared like the full moon. The girls surrounding Devahūti appeared like stars.

  3. 3

    The purport draws attention to the beauty of this comparison. The mansion in the sky resembled the lovely sight of the moon and stars together.

Key points from the purport
  • The mansion was in the sky, and therefore the comparison to the full moon and stars is very beautifully composed in this verse.
  • Kardama Muni looked like the full moon, and the girls who surrounded his wife, Devahūti, seemed just like the stars.
  • Similarly, in that aerial mansion in the sky, Kardama Muni with his beautiful wife and the damsels surrounding them appeared like the moon and stars on a full-moon night.

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. tasminin that
  2. aluptanot lost
  3. mahimāglory
  4. priyayāwith his beloved consort
  5. anuraktaḥattached
  6. vidyādharībhiḥby the Gandharva girls
  7. upacīrṇawaited upon
  8. vapuḥhis person
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “attached”

  • 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

What stands out to you about Kardama Muni retaining self-mastery amid these surroundings?

Practice

In one pleasant situation today, pause and notice whether you remain self-controlled.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelf-Mastery Amid Beautiful SurroundingsThis 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 3.23.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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