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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 4: Vidura Approaches Maitreya
3.4.93.4.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.3.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

तस्यानुरक्तस्य मुनेर्मुकुन्द:

प्रमोदभावानतकन्धरस्य ।

आश‍ृण्वतो मामनुरागहास-

समीक्षया विश्रमयन्नुवाच ॥ १० ॥

tasyānuraktasya muner mukundaḥ

pramoda-bhāvānata-kandharasya

āśṛṇvato mām anurāga-hāsa-

samīkṣayā viśramayann uvāca

Translation

Maitreya Muni was greatly attached to Him [the Lord], and he was listening in a pleasing attitude, with his shoulder lowered. With a smile and a particular glance upon me, having allowed me to rest, the Lord spoke as follows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Responds to Pure Love

  1. 1

    Maitreya listened with attachment and a pleasing attitude. Yet the Lord gave more intimate attention to Uddhava because he was a spotlessly pure devotee.

  2. 2

    The Lord reciprocates on the basis of transcendental love, not philosophical knowledge or fruitive activities. Devotion mixed with the monistic viewpoint is not pure devotion.

  3. 3

    The gopīs of Vṛndāvana had spontaneous love for the Lord without being highly learned scholars or mystic yogīs. Lord Caitanya approved their relationship with Him as supreme.

Key points from the purport
  • Although both Uddhava and Maitreya were great souls, the Lord’s attention was more on Uddhava because he was a spotlessly pure devotee.
  • Although Maitreya was a devotee, his devotion was mixed.
  • Herein the Lord’s attitude towards Uddhava was more intimate than with Maitreya Muni.

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

Separation → Devotional remembrance. Uddhava's tears and silence make remembrance emotionally immediate.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 3: Vidura meets Uddhava and hears of Kṛṣṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: Vidura Approaches Maitreya

Uddhava recalls the Lord’s instructions and directs Vidura to receive transcendental knowledge from Maitreya.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyahis (Maitreya’s)
  2. anuraktasyaalthough attached
  3. muneḥof the sage
  4. mukundaḥthe Lord who awards salvation
  5. pramoda-bhāvain a pleasing attitude
  6. ānatalowered
  7. kandharasyaof the shoulder
  8. āśṛṇvataḥwhile thus hearing
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 3.4

    In this verse: “attached”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotee”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophical”

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

Do I approach devotional service with a desire to love the Lord or to gain something for myself?

Practice

Before one devotional activity today, pause and make your intention loving service rather than personal gain.

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 3.4's connections

Live this todayThe Lord Responds to Pure LoveThis 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 3.4.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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