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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
3.23.533.23.55

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.54

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.23.51inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

इन्द्रियार्थेषु सज्जन्त्या प्रसङ्गस्त्वयि मे कृत: ।

अजानन्त्या परं भावं तथाप्यस्त्वभयाय मे ॥ ५४ ॥

indriyārtheṣu sajjantyā

prasaṅgas tvayi me kṛtaḥ

ajānantyā paraṁ bhāvaṁ

tathāpy astv abhayāya me

Translation

Not knowing your transcendental situation, I have loved you while remaining attached to the objects of the senses. Nonetheless, let the affinity I have developed for you rid me of all fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Gift of Saintly Association

  1. 1

    Devahūti had loved Kardama Muni without understanding his advanced spiritual realization. She now asks that her attachment to him free her from fear and material entanglement.

  2. 2

    Sādhu-saṅga, association with a great saintly person, is most important. Even someone without advanced knowledge can make considerable spiritual advancement through such association.

  3. 3

    Devahūti now recognizes that her husband is a great spiritual personality. She wants to use the spiritual advantage of his association.

Key points from the purport
  • Devahūti laments because her husband had given her the best kind of material enjoyment, but she did not know that he was so advanced in spiritual realization.
  • As a woman, as an ordinary wife, Devahūti became attached to Kardama Muni in order to satisfy her sense enjoyment and other material necessities, but actually she associated with a great personality.
  • Now she understood this, and she wanted to utilize the advantage of the association of her great husband.

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. indriya-artheṣuto sense gratification
  2. sajjantyābeing attached
  3. prasaṅgaḥaffinity
  4. tvayifor you
  5. meby me
  6. kṛtaḥwas done
  7. ajānantyānot knowing
  8. param bhāvamyour transcendent situation
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

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

    In this verse: “loved”

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

Am I recognizing the spiritual help available through saintly association?

Practice

Read one instruction from a saintly person today, giving attention to its spiritual purpose rather than material benefit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Gift of Saintly AssociationThis 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 3.23.54? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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