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Study a Verse

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
3.4.13.4.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.2

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.3.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

तेषां मैरेयदोषेण विषमीकृतचेतसाम् ।

निम्‍लोचति रवावासीद्वेणूनामिव मर्दनम् ॥ २ ॥

teṣāṁ maireya-doṣeṇa

viṣamīkṛta-cetasām

nimlocati ravāv āsīd

veṇūnām iva mardanam

Translation

As by the friction of bamboos destruction takes place, so also, at sunset, by the interaction of the faults of intoxication, all their minds became unbalanced, and destruction took place.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Directed the Dynasty’s Departure

  1. 1

    Intoxication unbalanced their minds, and destruction followed. The translation compares this to destruction caused by friction among bamboos.

  2. 2

    No power in the universe could vanquish the descendants of Yadu, because the Lord protected them.

  3. 3

    Their self-destruction took place by the Lord’s will. In this way, they obeyed His order.

Key points from the purport
  • When there is need of fire in the forest, by the will of the Supreme it takes place due to friction among the bamboos.
  • Similarly, the descendants of Yadu were all destroyed by the will of the Lord by the process of self-destruction.
  • The Lord wanted them to be so destroyed, and thus they obeyed His order, as indicated by the word tad-anujñāta.

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. teṣāmof them
  2. maireyaof intoxication
  3. doṣeṇaby the faults
  4. viṣamīkṛtabecame unbalanced
  5. cetasāmof those of whom the minds
  6. nimlocatisets
  7. ravauthe sun
  8. āsīttakes place
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “protected”

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 does the Lord’s protection change my understanding of this destruction?

Practice

Reread the verse and recall that the purport describes this event as directed by the Lord, not imposed by an outside power.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Directed the Dynasty’s DepartureThis 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 3.4.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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