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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni
3.24.253.24.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.24.20inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स चावतीर्णं त्रियुगमाज्ञाय विबुधर्षभम् ।

विविक्त उपसङ्गम्य प्रणम्य समभाषत ॥ २६ ॥

sa cāvatīrṇaṁ tri-yugam

ājñāya vibudharṣabham

vivikta upasaṅgamya

praṇamya samabhāṣata

Translation

When Kardama Muni understood that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the chief of all the demigods, Viṣṇu, had descended, Kardama approached Him in a secluded place, offered obeisances and spoke as follows.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognizing the Lord and Offering Respect

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni understood that his son Kapila was Viṣṇu Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He approached Him alone, offered obeisances, and expressed his mind.

  2. 2

    Viṣṇu is called tri-yuga because He appears directly in three yugas. In Kali-yuga, Kṛṣṇa appears as Lord Caitanya, garbed as a devotee.

  3. 3

    Although Lord Caitanya did not disclose Himself, Rūpa Gosvāmī recognized Him as Kṛṣṇa. The Lord cannot hide Himself from a pure devotee.

Key points from the purport
  • He knew that Lord Caitanya was Kṛṣṇa Himself and therefore offered his obeisances with the following words: “I offer my respects to Kṛṣṇa, who has now appeared as Lord Caitanya.”
  • When Kardama Muni understood that his son, Kapila, was Viṣṇu Himself, he wanted to offer his obeisances.
  • Therefore, when Kapila was alone he offered his respects and expressed his mind as follows.

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. saḥthe sage Kardama
  2. caand
  3. avatīrṇamdescended
  4. tri-yugamViṣṇu
  5. ājñāyahaving understood
  6. vibudha-ṛṣabhamthe chief of the demigods
  7. viviktein a secluded place
  8. upasaṅgamyahaving approached
  9. praṇamyaoffering obeisances
  10. samabhāṣatahe spoke
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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 3.24

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 Kardama’s respectful approach shape the way I approach the Lord?

Practice

In a quiet place, offer obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and express one sincere thought.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.24's connections

Live this todayRecognizing the Lord and Offering RespectThis 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 3.24.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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