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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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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 4: Vidura Approaches Maitreya
3.4.173.4.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.4.14inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

ज्ञानं परं स्वात्मरह:प्रकाशं

प्रोवाच कस्मै भगवान् समग्रम् ।

अपि क्षमं नो ग्रहणाय भर्त-

र्वदाञ्जसा यद् वृजिनं तरेम ॥ १८ ॥

jñānaṁ paraṁ svātma-rahaḥ-prakāśaṁ

provāca kasmai bhagavān samagram

api kṣamaṁ no grahaṇāya bhartar

vadāñjasā yad vṛjinaṁ tarema

Translation

My Lord, kindly explain to us, if You think us competent to receive it, that transcendental knowledge which gives enlightenment about Yourself and which You explained before to Brahmājī.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Knowledge That Nourishes Remembrance

  1. 1

    Uddhava humbly asked the Lord to explain the transcendental knowledge previously given to Brahmājī. He left his fitness to receive it to the Lord’s judgment.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee like Uddhava has no material afflictions because he constantly engages in transcendental loving service. His distress comes from separation from the Lord.

  3. 3

    Constant remembrance of the Lord’s activities sustains the devotee. Uddhava therefore requested enlightenment through the knowledge of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Key points from the purport
  • A pure devotee like Uddhava has no material afflictions because he engages constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
  • A devotee feels afflicted without the association of the Lord.
  • Constant remembrance of the Lord’s activities keeps the devotee alive, and therefore Uddhava requested that the Lord please enlighten him with the knowledge of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, as previously instructed to Brahmājī.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jñānamknowledge
  2. paramsupreme
  3. sva-ātmaown self
  4. rahaḥmystery
  5. prakāśamenlightening
  6. provācasaid
  7. kasmaiunto Ka (Brahmājī)
  8. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “kindly”, “distress”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “separation”

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

Does my study help me remember the Lord and desire His association?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes rereading this verse, then humbly ask the Lord for understanding that supports loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Knowledge That Nourishes RemembranceThis 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 3.4.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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