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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.33

Who is speaking and story frame

ध्यानायनं प्रहसितं बहुलाधरोष्ठ-

भासारुणायिततनुद्विजकुन्दपङ्‌क्ति ।

ध्यायेत्स्वदेहकुहरेऽवसितस्य विष्णोर्

भक्त्यार्द्रयार्पितमना न पृथग्दिद‍ृक्षेत् ॥ ३३ ॥

dhyānāyanaṁ prahasitaṁ bahulādharoṣṭha-

bhāsāruṇāyita-tanu-dvija-kunda-paṅkti

dhyāyet svadeha-kuhare ’vasitasya viṣṇor

bhaktyārdrayārpita-manā na pṛthag didṛkṣet

Translation

With devotion steeped in love and affection, the yogī should meditate within the core of his heart upon the laughter of Lord Viṣṇu. The laughter of Viṣṇu is so captivating that it can be easily meditated upon. When the Supreme Lord is laughing, one can see His small teeth, which resemble jasmine buds rendered rosy by the splendor of His lips. Once devoting his mind to this, the yogī should no longer desire to see anything else.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Laughter Satisfies the Heart

  1. 1

    After carefully studying the Lord’s smile, the yogī should meditate on His laughter with love and affection. These descriptions of His face, lips and teeth show that God is not impersonal.

  2. 2

    Lord Viṣṇu’s small teeth resemble jasmine buds made rosy by the reflection of His lips. Meditation on His smile and laughter completely cleanses the devotee’s heart.

  3. 3

    When the Lord’s beautiful face is placed within the heart, the devotee becomes fully satisfied. Absorption in His beauty leaves material attraction unable to disturb him.

Key points from the purport
  • It is recommended that the yogī visualize the laughter of the Lord after studying His smile very carefully.
  • The exceptional beauty of the laughter of Lord Viṣṇu is that when He smiles His small teeth, which resemble the buds of jasmine flowers, at once become reddish, reflecting His rosy lips.
  • If the yogī is able to place the beautiful face of the Lord in the core of his heart, he will be completely satisfied.

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. dhyāna-ayanameasily meditated upon
  2. prahasitamthe laughter
  3. bahulaabundant
  4. adhara-oṣṭhaof His lips
  5. bhāsaby the splendor
  6. aruṇāyitarendered rosy
  7. tanusmall
  8. dvijateeth
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee’s”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “love”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “cleanses”

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

What does this description teach me about the personal nature of the Lord?

Practice

Read the translation slowly, then spend a minute affectionately remembering Lord Viṣṇu’s laughter within your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Laughter Satisfies the HeartThis 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 3.28.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.