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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
3.4.183.4.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.19

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

इत्यावेदितहार्दाय मह्यं स भगवान् पर: ।

आदिदेशारविन्दाक्ष आत्मन: परमां स्थितिम् ॥ १९ ॥

ity āvedita-hārdāya

mahyaṁ sa bhagavān paraḥ

ādideśāravindākṣa

ātmanaḥ paramāṁ sthitim

Translation

When I thus expressed my heartfelt desires unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the lotus-eyed Lord instructed me about His transcendental situation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Confidential Knowledge Reveals Loving Dealings

  1. 1

    Uddhava expressed his heartfelt desires to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The lotus-eyed Lord responded by teaching him about His transcendental situation.

  2. 2

    This teaching concerns the Lord’s dealings with devotees in transcendental loving service, as exhibited at Dvārakā and Vṛndāvana. The Lord disclosed it specifically to Uddhava, although Maitreya was present.

  3. 3

    These confidential pastimes are rarely disclosed to devotees whose devotion is mixed with speculative knowledge, fruitive activities or mysticism. The Lord’s activities in confidential love are inconceivable.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord’s transcendental situation was not even spoken of to Brahmā when the four verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.33-36) were explained.
  • When the Lord explained His specific transcendental situation, it was meant for Uddhava only, and therefore Uddhava particularly said mahyam (“unto me”), although the great sage Maitreya was also sitting there.
  • Such a transcendental situation is hardly understood by those whose devotion is mixed with speculative knowledge 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· 1

The purport of SB 3.4.19 quotesSB 2.9.33

The Lord’s transcendental situation was not even spoken of to Brahmā when the four verses of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.9.33-36) were explained.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. iti āveditathus being prayed to by me
  2. hārdāyafrom the core of my heart
  3. mahyamunto me
  4. saḥHe
  5. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
  6. paraḥSupreme
  7. ādideśainstructed
  8. aravinda-akṣaḥthe lotus-eyed
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “love”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

What personal ambitions might be mixing with my desire to understand and serve the Lord?

Practice

Offer one heartfelt prayer asking to understand the Lord through loving service rather than personal achievement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 2.9.33

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.4's connections

Live this todayConfidential Knowledge Reveals Loving DealingsThis 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 3.4.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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