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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 33: Activities of Kapila
3.33.153.33.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.33.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पय:फेननिभा: शय्या दान्ता रुक्‍मपरिच्छदा: ।

आसनानि च हैमानि सुस्पर्शास्तरणानि च ॥ १६ ॥

payaḥ-phena-nibhāḥ śayyā

dāntā rukma-paricchadāḥ

āsanāni ca haimāni

susparśāstaraṇāni ca

Translation

The opulence of the household of Kardama Muni is described herein. The bedsheets and mattresses were all as white as the foam of milk, the chairs and benches were made of ivory and were covered by cloths of lace with golden filigree, and the couches were made of gold and had very soft pillows.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Richness of Kardama Muni’s Household

  1. 1

    The bedsheets and mattresses were as white as the foam of milk. This comparison conveys the beauty of the household furnishings.

  2. 2

    The chairs and benches were made of ivory. They were covered with lace cloths decorated with golden filigree.

  3. 3

    The couches were made of gold and furnished with very soft pillows. These details describe the household’s great opulence and comfort.

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 33: Activities of Kapila

Devahūti follows Kapila’s instructions and attains liberation; Kapila travels onward and receives prayers and offerings.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. payaḥof milk
  2. phenathe foam
  3. nibhāḥresembling
  4. śayyāḥbeds
  5. dāntāḥmade of ivory
  6. rukmagolden
  7. paricchadāḥwith covers
  8. āsanānichairs and benches
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “household”

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

Which detail helps me most clearly picture the opulence described here?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly and recall its three groups of furnishings: beds, seats and couches.

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 3.33's connections

Live this todayThe Richness of Kardama Muni’s HouseholdThis 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 3.33.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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