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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 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni
3.24.113.24.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.24.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ब्रह्मोवाच

त्वया मेऽपचितिस्तात कल्पिता निर्व्यलीकत: ।

यन्मे सञ्जगृहे वाक्यं भवान्मानद मानयन् ॥ १२ ॥

brahmovāca

tvayā me ’pacitis tāta

kalpitā nirvyalīkataḥ

yan me sañjagṛhe vākyaṁ

bhavān mānada mānayan

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My dear son Kardama, since you have completely accepted my instructions without duplicity, showing them proper respect, you have worshiped me properly. Whatever instructions you took from me you have carried out, and thereby you have honored me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor the Spiritual Master Through Action

  1. 1

    Brahmā praised Kardama Muni for carrying out his instructions completely and without cheating. Such obedience truly honored his spiritual master.

  2. 2

    A conditioned soul commits mistakes, becomes illusioned, tends to cheat and has imperfect senses. Following the spiritual master through disciplic succession helps one overcome these four defects.

  3. 3

    Knowledge received from the bona fide spiritual master is not cheating. To honor the spiritual master means to carry out his instructions word for word.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā praises Kardama because he carried out the orders of the spiritual master in toto and without cheating.
  • Therefore, knowledge received from the bona fide spiritual master is not cheating.
  • Brahmā knew well that Kardama Muni exactly carried out the instructions received from him and that he actually honored his spiritual master.

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 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni

Kapila appears as Devahūti’s son, the daughters marry, and Kardama renounces family life with the Lord’s permission.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahmāLord Brahmā
  2. uvācasaid
  3. tvayāby you
  4. memy
  5. apacitiḥworship
  6. tātaO son
  7. kalpitāis accomplished
  8. nirvyalīkataḥwithout duplicity
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “worshiped”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “illusioned”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.24

    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

Does my respect for spiritual instruction show itself in what I actually do?

Practice

Choose one instruction you have received from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings and take one concrete step to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Spiritual Master Through ActionThis 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 3.24.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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