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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
3.23.463.23.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.47

Visarga· Brahmā's creation
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

तस्यामाधत्त रेतस्तां भावयन्नात्मनात्मवित् ।

नोधा विधाय रूपं स्वं सर्वसङ्कल्पविद्विभु: ॥ ४७ ॥

tasyām ādhatta retas tāṁ

bhāvayann ātmanātma-vit

nodhā vidhāya rūpaṁ svaṁ

sarva-saṅkalpa-vid vibhuḥ

Translation

The powerful Kardama Muni was the knower of everyone’s heart, and he could grant whatever one desired. Knowing the spiritual soul, he regarded her as half of his body. Dividing himself into nine forms, he impregnated Devahūti with nine discharges of semen.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kardama Understood Devahūti’s Desire for Children

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni knew the spiritual soul and understood the desires within others’ hearts. He regarded Devahūti as half of his own body.

  2. 2

    Knowing that she wanted many children, he took the first opportunity to fulfill her desire.

  3. 3

    The purport describes him as vibhu, a powerful master. Through yogic power, his nine forms produced nine daughters in Devahūti’s womb at once.

Key points from the purport
  • Since Kardama Muni could understand that Devahūti wanted many children, at the first chance he begot nine children at one time.
  • He is described here as vibhu, the most powerful master.
  • By his yogic power he could at once produce nine daughters in the womb of Devahūti.

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. tasyāmin her
  2. ādhattahe deposited
  3. retaḥsemen
  4. tāmher
  5. bhāvayanregarding
  6. ātmanāas half of himself
  7. ātma-vita knower of spirit soul
  8. nodhāinto nine
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Visarga · Subcreation

    How do living beings and their worlds appear? · Subject 2 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “children”

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 carefully do I listen to understand the wishes of someone close to me?

Practice

Ask someone close to you about one wish that matters to them, and listen attentively.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKardama Understood Devahūti’s Desire for ChildrenThis 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 3.23.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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