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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 25: The Glories of Devotional Service
3.25.203.25.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.25.13inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

तितिक्षव: कारुणिका: सुहृद: सर्वदेहिनाम् ।

अजातशत्रव: शान्ता: साधव: साधुभूषणा: ॥ २१ ॥

titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ

suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām

ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ

sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ

Translation

The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize a Sādhu by Devotional Qualities

  1. 1

    A sādhu shows mercy by teaching the importance of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa. He thinks of others rather than being satisfied with his own liberation.

  2. 2

    A sādhu is tolerant and a well-wisher of all living entities, including animals and trees. Although others may oppose him, he is not inimical toward anyone.

  3. 3

    A sādhu is peaceful and follows the principles of scripture. These principles instruct us to obey the Personality of Godhead, so genuine scriptural conduct goes together with devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • A sādhu, as described above, is a devotee of the Lord.
  • While engaged in preaching work, he has to meet with so many opposing elements, and therefore the sādhu, or devotee of the Lord, has to be very tolerant.
  • Therefore sādhu means a follower of the scriptural injunctions and a devotee of the Lord.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 5

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.22.24

A sādhu is described as titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ: a devotee should be tolerant and should be very much compassionate toward others.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.13.24

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21), Kapiladeva describes the symptoms of great personalities: titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.4.5

Bhāgavatam (3.25.21) states: A sādhu, a devotee, is never angry.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.5.44

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21): “The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.4.28

Elsewhere in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.21) it is said, ajāta-śatravaḥ śāntāḥ sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥ: a devotee has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

How it feels

Entanglement → Insight and liberation. Inquiry matures into instruction in devotion and spiritual nature.

Chapters 25–33 of Canto 3: Kapila instructs Devahūti. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service

Kapila teaches Devahūti the glories of devotional service, association with devotees, and freedom from material attachment.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.25
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. titikṣavaḥtolerant
  2. kāruṇikāḥmerciful
  3. suhṛdaḥfriendly
  4. sarva-dehināmto all living entities
  5. ajāta-śatravaḥinimical to none
  6. śāntāḥpeaceful
  7. sādhavaḥabiding by scriptures
  8. sādhu-bhūṣaṇāḥadorned with sublime characteristics
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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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “merciful”, “mercy”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “friendly”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I become more tolerant and more concerned for the spiritual good of others?

Practice

When someone irritates you today, pause before replying and choose peaceful words without hostility.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it · quoted in 35 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 35 other lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayRecognize a Sādhu by Devotional QualitiesOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 3.25.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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