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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
3.24.123.24.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.13

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

एतावत्येव शुश्रूषा कार्या पितरि पुत्रकै: ।

बाढमित्यनुमन्येत गौरवेण गुरोर्वच: ॥ १३ ॥

etāvaty eva śuśrūṣā

kāryā pitari putrakaiḥ

bāḍham ity anumanyeta

gauraveṇa guror vacaḥ

Translation

Sons ought to render service to their father exactly to this extent. One should obey the command of his father or spiritual master with due deference, saying, “Yes, sir.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Spiritual Instruction Your Life and Soul

  1. 1

    The son or disciple should receive the words of the father or spiritual master with due respect and readiness to serve. The purport describes this response as an immediate “Yes.”

  2. 2

    The spiritual master is the second father, making spiritual birth possible. The disciple should regard his order as the life and soul of spiritual practice.

  3. 3

    The meaning of Vedic instruction is revealed to one who has implicit faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the spiritual master. Material learning alone is not the deciding qualification.

Key points from the purport
  • The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without hesitation.
  • Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without argument: “Yes.”
  • That is real service to the father and to the 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvatīto this extent
  2. evaexactly
  3. śuśrūṣāservice
  4. kāryāought to be rendered
  5. pitarito the father
  6. putrakaiḥby the sons
  7. bāḍham itiaccepting, “Yes, sir”
  8. anumanyetahe should obey
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “father”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 receive spiritual instruction with greater faith and readiness to serve?

Practice

Write down one spiritual instruction you are studying and set aside a specific time today to practice it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Spiritual Instruction Your Life and SoulThis 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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