1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.33.183.33.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.19

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

यत्र प्रविष्टमात्मानं विबुधानुचरा जगु: ।

वाप्यामुत्पलगन्धिन्यां

कर्दमेनोपलालितम् ॥ १९ ॥

yatra praviṣṭam ātmānaṁ

vibudhānucarā jaguḥ

vāpyām utpala-gandhinyāṁ

kardamenopalālitam

Translation

When Devahūti would enter that lovely garden to take her bath in the pond filled with lotus flowers, the associates of the denizens of heaven, the Gandharvas, would sing about Kardama’s glorious household life. Her great husband, Kardama, gave her all protection at all times.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Careful Protection Without Material Attachment

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni gave Devahūti comforts and protection as his duty as a husband. The purport describes their relationship as ideal.

  2. 2

    Although Kardama cared for his wife, he was not attached. When Kapiladeva was grown, he left all family connection.

  3. 3

    The purport presents Devahūti as following the protection described in the Manu-saṁhitā: first from her father, then her husband, and later her son.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni gave Devahūti all sorts of comforts in his duty as a husband, but he was not at all attached to his wife.
  • Similarly, Devahūti was the daughter of a great king, Svāyambhuva Manu, and was qualified and beautiful, but she was completely dependent on the protection of her husband.
  • Devahūti demonstrated all these statements of the Manu-saṁhitā in her life: as a child she was dependent on her father, later she was dependent on her husband, in spite of her opulence, and she was later on dependent on her son, Kapiladeva.

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 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. yatrawhere
  2. praviṣṭamentered
  3. ātmānamunto her
  4. vibudha-anucarāḥthe associates of the denizens of heaven
  5. jaguḥsang
  6. vāpyāmin the pond
  7. utpalaof lotuses
  8. gandhinyāmwith the fragrance
  9. kardamenaby Kardama
  10. upalālitamtreated with great care
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”, “attached”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “lovely”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “protection”

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 fulfill a responsibility with care without becoming attached?

Practice

Do one concrete act of care for someone whose well-being is your responsibility.

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 todayCareful Protection Without Material AttachmentThis 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 3.33.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories