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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
3.23.403.23.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.41

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

भ्राजिष्णुना विमानेन कामगेन महीयसा ।

वैमानिकानत्यशेत चरँल्लोकान् यथानिल: ॥ ४१ ॥

bhrājiṣṇunā vimānena

kāma-gena mahīyasā

vaimānikān atyaśeta

caraḻ lokān yathānilaḥ

Translation

He traveled in that way through the various planets, as the air passes uncontrolled in every direction. Coursing through the air in that great and splendid aerial mansion, which could fly at his will, he surpassed even the demigods.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Yogic Travel Beyond Ordinary Restrictions

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni traveled through various planets in a splendid aerial mansion that moved according to his will. In this ability, he surpassed even the demigods.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that conditioned souls within the universe are not free to move everywhere. Even the demigods are subject to restrictions imposed by nature.

  3. 3

    By yogic power, Kardama Muni traveled unrestrictedly in all directions. The words yathā anilaḥ compare his movement to the free movement of air.

Key points from the purport
  • The planets occupied by the demigods are restricted to their own orbits, but Kardama Muni, by his yogic power, could travel all over the different directions of the universe without restriction.
  • It is not possible to travel to any other planets because by the laws of nature even the demigods cannot move from one planet to another.
  • The words yathā anilaḥ indicate that as the air is free to move anywhere without restriction, so Kardama Muni unrestrictedly traveled in all directions of the universe.

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. bhrājiṣṇunāsplendid
  2. vimānenawith the airplane
  3. kāma-genawhich flew according to his desire
  4. mahīyasāvery great
  5. vaimānikānthe demigods in their airplanes
  6. atyaśetahe surpassed
  7. carantraveling
  8. lokānthrough the planets
  9. yathālike
  10. anilaḥthe air
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

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 does the comparison with air help you understand about Kardama Muni’s freedom of movement?

Practice

Write down the meaning of yathā anilaḥ and how it illustrates Kardama Muni’s travel.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayYogic Travel Beyond Ordinary RestrictionsThis 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 3.23.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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