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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
3.24.283.24.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.29

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Kardama Munisince 3.24.27inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स एव भगवानद्य हेलनं नगणय्य न: ।

गृहेषु जातो ग्राम्याणां य: स्वानां पक्षपोषण: ॥ २९ ॥

sa eva bhagavān adya

helanaṁ na gaṇayya naḥ

gṛheṣu jāto grāmyāṇāṁ

yaḥ svānāṁ pakṣa-poṣaṇaḥ

Translation

Not considering the negligence of ordinary householders like us, that very same Supreme Personality of Godhead appears in our homes just to support His devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings the Lord Near

  1. 1

    The Lord supports His devotees without considering the negligence of ordinary householders. Kardama Muni experienced this mercy when the Lord appeared as his son.

  2. 2

    Devotional service surpasses other methods of transcendental realization. The Lord lives where His pure devotees continually chant and glorify Him.

  3. 3

    The Lord is called bhakta-vatsala because He is especially affectionate toward His devotees. Only through devotional service can one understand Him as He is and associate with Him face to face.

Key points from the purport
  • Devotees are so affectionate toward the Personality of Godhead that although He does not appear before those who practice yoga in a secluded place even for many, many births, He agrees to appear in a householder’s home where devotees engage in devotional service without material yoga practice.
  • In other words, devotional service to the Lord is so easy that even a householder can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead as one of the members of his household, as his son, as Kardama Muni experienced.
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as bhakta-vatsala.

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. saḥ evathat very same
  2. bhagavānSupreme Personality of Godhead
  3. adyatoday
  4. helanamnegligence
  5. nanot
  6. gaṇayyaconsidering high and low
  7. naḥour
  8. gṛheṣuin the houses
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “householders”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “chant”, “glorify”

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 make devotional service part of my home life?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes at home today to chant and glorify the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Brings the Lord NearThis 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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