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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 23: Devahūti’s Lamentation
3.23.383.23.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.39

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

तेनाष्टलोकपविहारकुलाचलेन्द्र-

द्रोणीस्वनङ्गसखमारुतसौभगासु ।

सिद्धैर्नुतो द्युधुनिपातशिवस्वनासु

रेमे चिरं धनदवल्ललनावरूथी ॥ ३९ ॥

tenāṣṭa-lokapa-vihāra-kulācalendra-

droṇīṣv anaṅga-sakha-māruta-saubhagāsu

siddhair nuto dyudhuni-pāta-śiva-svanāsu

reme ciraṁ dhanadaval-lalanā-varūthī

Translation

In that aerial mansion he traveled to the pleasure valleys of Mount Meru, which were rendered all the more beautiful by cool, gentle, fragrant breezes that stimulated passion. In these valleys, the treasurer of the gods, Kuvera, surrounded by beautiful women and praised by the Siddhas, generally enjoys pleasure. Kardama Muni also, surrounded by the beautiful damsels and his wife, went there and enjoyed for many, many years.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Enjoyment Directed Toward Good Progeny

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni traveled in his aerial mansion to the beautiful valleys of Mount Meru. He enjoyed there with his wife for many years.

  2. 2

    The purport describes demigods who oversee different directions of the universe. They also take pleasure in the valleys of Mount Meru.

  3. 3

    The Siddhas praised Kardama Muni’s sexual enjoyment because it was intended to produce good progeny for the welfare of universal affairs. Its purpose explains their approval.

Key points from the purport
  • All these demigods take pleasure in the valleys of Mount Meru, which is situated somewhere between the sun and the earth.
  • In the aerial mansion, Kardama Muni traveled throughout the eight directions controlled by the different demigods described above, and as the demigods go to Mount Meru, he also went there to enjoy life.
  • Kardama Muni was sexually stimulated, and he enjoyed his wife for many, many years in that part of Mount Meru.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tenaby that airplane
  2. aṣṭa-loka-paof the predominating deities of the eight heavenly planets
  3. vihārathe pleasure grounds
  4. kula-acala-indraof the king of the mountains (Meru)
  5. droṇīṣuin the valleys
  6. anaṅgaof passion
  7. sakhathe companions
  8. mārutawith breezes
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “welfare”

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 purpose of Kardama Muni’s enjoyment explain the Siddhas’ praise?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining why the Siddhas approved of his enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEnjoyment Directed Toward Good ProgenyThis 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 3.23.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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