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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
3.4.223.4.24

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.23

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.4.23inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

श्री शुक उवाच

इत्युद्धवादुपाकर्ण्य सुहृदां दु:सहं वधम् ।

ज्ञानेनाशमयत्क्षत्ता शोकमुत्पतितं बुध: ॥ २३ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

ity uddhavād upākarṇya

suhṛdāṁ duḥsahaṁ vadham

jñānenāśamayat kṣattā

śokam utpatitaṁ budhaḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: After hearing from Uddhava all about the annihilation of his friends and relatives, the learned Vidura pacified his overwhelming bereavement by dint of his transcendental knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Transcendental Knowledge Can Pacify Grief

  1. 1

    News of the loss of friends and relatives and the Lord’s departure brought Vidura into bereavement. His advanced transcendental knowledge enabled him to pacify himself.

  2. 2

    Grief over the loss of loved ones is not astonishing because of our long association with bodily relationships. The purport teaches that higher, transcendental knowledge can subdue such grief.

  3. 3

    Through his association with Uddhava and their talks about Kṛṣṇa, Vidura became further advanced in knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidura was informed that the result of the Battle of Kurukṣetra was the annihilation of his friends and relatives as well as the destruction of the Yadu dynasty and also the passing away of the Lord.
  • As it is stated in Bhagavad-gītā, due to our long association with bodily relationships, bereavement on account of the annihilation of friends and relatives is not at all astonishing, but one has to learn the art of subduing such bereavement with higher, transcendental knowledge.
  • The talks between Uddhava and Vidura on the topic of Kṛṣṇa began at sunset, and Vidura was now further advanced in knowledge due to his association with Uddhava.

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śuka Gosvāmī said
  2. itithus
  3. uddhavātfrom Uddhava
  4. upākarṇyahearing
  5. suhṛdāmof friends and relatives
  6. duḥsahamunbearable
  7. vadhamannihilation
  8. jñānenaby transcendental knowledge
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “friends”

  • 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

How might hearing about Kṛṣṇa from a devotee help me face sorrow?

Practice

Set aside five quiet minutes to reread this passage, allowing its teaching to support you without demanding that grief disappear immediately.

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 todayTranscendental Knowledge Can Pacify GriefThis 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 3.4.23? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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