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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
3.23.563.24.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.57

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

साहं भगवतो नूनं वञ्चिता मायया द‍ृढम् ।

यत्त्वां विमुक्तिदं प्राप्य न मुमुक्षेय बन्धनात् ॥ ५७ ॥

sāhaṁ bhagavato nūnaṁ

vañcitā māyayā dṛḍham

yat tvāṁ vimuktidaṁ prāpya

na mumukṣeya bandhanāt

Translation

My lord, surely I have been solidly cheated by the insurmountable illusory energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for in spite of having obtained your association, which gives liberation from material bondage, I did not seek such liberation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Your Opportunities to Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    Human life and a family that cultivates spiritual knowledge are valuable opportunities. The greatest opportunity is association with a saintly person.

  2. 2

    Devahūti laments that she did not seek liberation despite having such association. Material gifts can deepen illusion and entanglement rather than bring real achievement.

  3. 3

    Whatever we have should be used in service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anyone can serve Him according to the best of their ability.

Key points from the purport
  • Still, if she did not get liberation from the entanglement of material energy, then certainly she would be cheated by the insurmountable illusory energy.
  • Actually, the illusory material energy is cheating everyone.
  • One should be intelligent enough to know how to utilize material assets for the purpose of spiritual realization.

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. sāthat very person
  2. ahamI am
  3. bhagavataḥof the Lord
  4. nūnamsurely
  5. vañcitācheated
  6. māyayāby the illusory energy
  7. dṛḍhamsolidly
  8. yatbecause
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: “material”, “illusion”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “laments”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Which asset or opportunity could I use for spiritual realization rather than further material entanglement?

Practice

Use one available asset—your time, ability or possessions—in a small act of service to the Supreme Lord today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Your Opportunities to Serve the LordThis 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 3.23.57? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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