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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 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service
3.28.223.28.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.23

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.28.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

जानुद्वयं जलजलोचनया जनन्या

लक्ष्म्याखिलस्य सुरवन्दितया विधातु: ।

ऊर्वोर्निधाय करपल्लवरोचिषा यत्

संलालितं हृदि विभोरभवस्य कुर्यात् ॥ २३ ॥

jānu-dvayaṁ jalaja-locanayā jananyā

lakṣmyākhilasya sura-vanditayā vidhātuḥ

ūrvor nidhāya kara-pallava-rociṣā yat

saṁlālitaṁ hṛdi vibhor abhavasya kuryāt

Translation

The yogī should fix in his heart the activities of Lakṣmī, the goddess of fortune, who is worshiped by all demigods and is the mother of the supreme person, Brahmā. She can always be found massaging the legs and thighs of the transcendental Lord, very carefully serving Him in this way.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Lakṣmī’s Careful Service to Nārāyaṇa

  1. 1

    Lakṣmī, worshiped by all demigods, always serves the Supreme Personality of Godhead Nārāyaṇa by massaging His legs and thighs. The devotee keeps this relationship in the heart.

  2. 2

    Lakṣmī is called Brahmā’s mother, but Brahmā is born from the lotus growing from the Lord’s abdomen. The Lord can produce Brahmā without her assistance.

  3. 3

    Nārāyaṇa exists before creation and has no material body. His relationship with Lakṣmī should not be understood as ordinary behavior between a husband and wife.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā is the appointed lord of the universe.
  • Brahmā is described here as the son of the goddess of fortune, but actually he was not born of her womb.
  • Therefore Lakṣmījī’s massaging of the thighs of the Lord should not be taken as the behavior of an ordinary wife.

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

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 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service

Kapila teaches disciplined yoga and devoted meditation upon the Lord’s eternal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jānu-dvayamup to the knees
  2. jalaja-locanayālotus-eyed
  3. jananyāmother
  4. lakṣmyāby Lakṣmī
  5. akhilasyaof the entire universe
  6. sura-vanditayāworshiped by the demigods
  7. vidhātuḥof Brahmā
  8. ūrvoḥat the thighs
3

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 3.28

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotee”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.28

    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 does Lakṣmī’s careful service help me understand the devotional focus of meditation?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, then spend a minute remembering Lakṣmī carefully serving the transcendental Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Lakṣmī’s Careful Service to NārāyaṇaThis 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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