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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
3.23.4-53.23.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kardama Munisince 3.23.6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

कर्दम उवाच

तुष्टोऽहमद्य तव मानवि मानदाया:

शुश्रूषया परमया परया च भक्त्या ।

यो देहिनामयमतीव सुहृत्स देहो

नावेक्षित: समुचित: क्षपितुं मदर्थे ॥ ६ ॥

kardama uvāca

tuṣṭo ’ham adya tava mānavi mānadāyāḥ

śuśrūṣayā paramayā parayā ca bhaktyā

yo dehinām ayam atīva suhṛt sa deho

nāvekṣitaḥ samucitaḥ kṣapituṁ mad-arthe

Translation

Kardama Muni said: O respectful daughter of Svāyambhuva Manu, today I am very much pleased with you for your great devotion and most excellent loving service. Since the body is so dear to embodied beings, I am astonished that you have neglected your own body to use it on my behalf.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Selfless Service Supports Spiritual Progress

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni was deeply pleased by Devahūti’s devotion, respect and excellent loving service. He was astonished that she had spent her bodily strength on his behalf.

  2. 2

    The purport calls her service selfless because she continually assisted his spiritual elevation without seeking bodily comfort. Her concern was to facilitate his spiritual engagement.

  3. 3

    The purport especially emphasizes helping a husband engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kardama also amply rewarded Devahūti, while the purport cautions against expecting this from an ordinary husband.

Key points from the purport
  • It is indicated here that one’s body is very dear, yet Devahūti was so faithful to her husband that not only did she serve him with great devotion, service and respect, but she did not even care for her own health.
  • It is the duty of a faithful and chaste wife to help her husband in every respect, especially when the husband is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • In this case, the husband also amply rewarded the wife.

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. kardamaḥ uvācathe great sage Kardama said
  2. tuṣṭaḥpleased
  3. ahamI am
  4. adyatoday
  5. tavawith you
  6. mānaviO daughter of Manu
  7. māna-dāyāḥwho are respectful
  8. śuśrūṣayāby the service
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “devotion”

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 can I help someone’s spiritual progress without seeking a personal reward?

Practice

Help with one small task that gives someone time for their practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelfless Service Supports Spiritual ProgressThis 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 3.23.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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