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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
3.23.33.23.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.23.4-5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.23.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स वै देवर्षिवर्यस्तां मानवीं समनुव्रताम् ।

दैवाद्गरीयस: पत्युराशासानां महाशिष: ॥ ४ ॥

कालेन भूयसा क्षामां कर्शितां व्रतचर्यया ।

प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा पीडित: कृपयाब्रवीत् ॥ ५ ॥

sa vai devarṣi-varyas tāṁ

mānavīṁ samanuvratām

daivād garīyasaḥ patyur

āśāsānāṁ mahāśiṣaḥ

kālena bhūyasā kṣāmāṁ

karśitāṁ vrata-caryayā

prema-gadgadayā vācā

pīḍitaḥ kṛpayābravīt

Translation

The daughter of Manu, who was fully devoted to her husband, looked upon him as greater even than providence. Thus she expected great blessings from him. Having served him for a long time, she grew weak and emaciated due to her religious observances. Seeing her condition, Kardama, the foremost of celestial sages, was overcome with compassion and spoke to her in a voice choked with great love.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devoted Service Meets Loving Compassion

  1. 1

    Devahūti was fully devoted to Kardama Muni and expected great blessings from him. She followed his principles and circumstances.

  2. 2

    The purport emphasizes harmony in religious principles within marriage. It explains that a devotee husband and a materialistic wife cannot have peace at home.

  3. 3

    Long service and strict religious observances left Devahūti weak and emaciated. Kardama recognized her condition and spoke with compassion, his voice choked with love.

Key points from the purport
  • The wife is expected to be of the same category as the husband.
  • The wife must see the tendencies of the husband and must be prepared to follow him.
  • But even if the husband is not a great devotee like Kardama Muni, it is the wife’s duty to adapt herself according to his mentality.

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. saḥhe (Kardama)
  2. vaicertainly
  3. deva-ṛṣiof the celestial sages
  4. varyaḥthe foremost
  5. tāmher
  6. mānavīmthe daughter of Manu
  7. samanuvratāmfully devoted
  8. daivātthan providence
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “blessings”

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

Do I notice the effort and difficulties of those who serve me?

Practice

Notice someone’s tiredness today and offer practical help with one of their tasks.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.23's connections

Live this todayDevoted Service Meets Loving CompassionThis 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 3.23.4-5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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