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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
3.23.513.23.53

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.52

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.23.51inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ब्रह्मन्दुहितृभिस्तुभ्यं विमृग्या: पतय: समा: ।

कश्चित्स्यान्मे विशोकाय त्वयि प्रव्रजिते वनम् ॥ ५२ ॥

brahman duhitṛbhis tubhyaṁ

vimṛgyāḥ patayaḥ samāḥ

kaścit syān me viśokāya

tvayi pravrajite vanam

Translation

My dear brāhmaṇa, as far as your daughters are concerned, they will find their own suitable husbands and go away to their respective homes. But who will give me solace after your departure as a sannyāsī?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Lasting Solace Comes Through Spiritual Instruction

  1. 1

    Devahūti indirectly asks Kardama Muni to leave a suitable son who can relieve her anxieties after his departure.

  2. 2

    The relief she seeks is spiritual instruction, not material comfort. Material comforts end with the body, but spiritual instruction continues with the spirit soul.

  3. 3

    Receiving faithful service brings a duty to reciprocate. The purport describes giving spiritual instruction as a reciprocation of love and duty.

Key points from the purport
  • Devahūti is indirectly asking that in his absence from home there be at least one male child to give her relief from her anxieties.
  • Thus Devahūti reminds her husband, Kardama Muni, that she has rendered him faithful service.
  • Indirectly, Devahūti requests her husband to remain at home a few days more, or at least until a male child is born.

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. brahmanmy dear brāhmaṇa
  2. duhitṛbhiḥby the daughters themselves
  3. tubhyamfor you
  4. vimṛgyāḥto be found out
  5. patayaḥhusbands
  6. samāḥsuitable
  7. kaścitsomeone
  8. syātthere should be
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: “duty”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “love”

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

When I seek solace, do I look only for material comfort, or also for spiritual instruction?

Practice

Spend five minutes studying the distinction here between material comfort and lasting spiritual relief.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLasting Solace Comes Through Spiritual InstructionThis 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 3.23.52? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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