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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
3.4.103.4.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.11

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.3.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

श्री भगवानुवाच

वेदाहमन्तर्मनसीप्सितं ते

ददामि यत्तद् दुरवापमन्यै: ।

सत्रे पुरा विश्वसृजां वसूनां

मत्सिद्धिकामेन वसो त्वयेष्ट: ॥ ११ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

vedāham antar manasīpsitaṁ te

dadāmi yat tad duravāpam anyaiḥ

satre purā viśva-sṛjāṁ vasūnāṁ

mat-siddhi-kāmena vaso tvayeṣṭaḥ

Translation

O Vasu, I know from within your mind what you desired in the days of yore when the Vasus and other demigods responsible for expanding the universal affairs performed sacrifices. You particularly desired to achieve My association. This is very difficult for others to obtain, but I award it unto you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Desire the Lord’s Personal Association

  1. 1

    The Lord knew Uddhava’s earlier desire because He is present in every heart as Paramātmā, the Superconsciousness. He gives the living entity memory.

  2. 2

    Everyone is free to think and desire, but fulfillment depends on the supreme will. The Lord assured Uddhava that He would fulfill his desire for His association.

  3. 3

    By the Lord’s mercy, pure devotees know that His personal association is the highest perfection of life. This association is very difficult for those absorbed in philosophical speculation or fruitive activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Uddhava is one of the eternal associates of the Lord, and a plenary portion of Uddhava was one of the eight Vasus in the days of yore.
  • The eight Vasus and the demigods in the upper planetary system, who are responsible for the management of the universal affairs, performed a sacrifice in the days of yore, desiring to fulfill their respective ultimate goals in life.
  • In the days of yore, when the demigods and Vasus performed sacrifice, Uddhava, as one of the Vasus, desired to enter into the association of the Lord, which is very difficult for those busy in empiric philosophical speculation or fruitive activities.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 3.4.11 quotesBG 4.11

Everyone is at liberty to desire as he likes, but the desire is fulfilled by the Supreme Lord.

The purport of SB 3.4.11 quotesBG 15.15

Everyone is at liberty to desire as he likes, but the desire is fulfilled by the Supreme Lord.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Personality of Godhead said
  2. vedaknow
  3. ahamI
  4. antaḥwithin
  5. manasithe mind
  6. īpsitamwhat you desired
  7. teyour
  8. dadāmiI give you
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “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

How important is the Lord’s association among the things I desire?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing your desire for the Lord’s association rather than a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDesire the Lord’s Personal AssociationThis 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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