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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
3.23.83.23.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.23.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kardama Munisince 3.23.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एवं ब्रुवाणमबलाखिलयोगमाया-

विद्याविचक्षणमवेक्ष्य गताधिरासीत् ।

सम्प्रश्रयप्रणयविह्वलया गिरेषद्-

व्रीडावलोकविलसद्धसिताननाह ॥ ९ ॥

evaṁ bruvāṇam abalākhila-yoga-māyā-

vidyā-vicakṣaṇam avekṣya gatādhir āsīt

sampraśraya-praṇaya-vihvalayā gireṣad-

vrīḍāvaloka-vilasad-dhasitānanāha

Translation

Upon hearing the speaking of her husband, who excelled in knowledge of all kinds of transcendental science, innocent Devahūti was very satisfied. Her smiling face shining with a slightly bashful glance, she spoke in a choked voice because of great humility and love.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Fulfills Spiritual Learning

  1. 1

    The purport explains that someone rendering transcendental loving service to the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be understood to have completed the recommended courses of austerity, religion, sacrifice, yoga and meditation.

  2. 2

    Devahūti trusted Kardama’s gifts because he was highly advanced in devotional service and expert in transcendental science. She had no doubt that he could offer them.

  3. 3

    Understanding that he offered the greatest gift, Devahūti became deeply satisfied. Humility and love overwhelmed her, and she spoke with a faltering voice.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said that if one is already engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and is rendering transcendental loving service to the Lord, then it can be supposed that he has finished all the recommended courses of austerity, penance, religion, sacrifice, mystic yoga and meditation.
  • Devahūti’s husband was so expert in the transcendental science that there was nothing for him to argue about, and when she heard him speak she was confident that since he was very much advanced in devotional service he had already surpassed all transcendental educational activities.
  • She had no doubt about the gifts offered by her husband; she knew that he was expert in offering such gifts, and when she understood that he was offering the greatest gift, she was very satisfied.

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. evamthus
  2. bruvāṇamspeaking
  3. abalāthe woman
  4. akhilaall
  5. yoga-māyāof transcendental science
  6. vidyā-vicakṣaṇamexcelling in knowledge
  7. avekṣyaafter hearing
  8. gata-ādhiḥsatisfied
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.23

    In this verse: “humility”

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

Is my spiritual learning leading me toward humble, loving service to the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for one act of loving service to the Lord, with humility rather than a wish to display knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Fulfills Spiritual LearningThis 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.

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