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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
3.4.233.4.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.4.23inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

स तं महाभागवतं व्रजन्तं कौरवर्षभ: ।

विश्रम्भादभ्यधत्तेदं मुख्यं कृष्णपरिग्रहे ॥ २४ ॥

sa taṁ mahā-bhāgavataṁ

vrajantaṁ kauravarṣabhaḥ

viśrambhād abhyadhattedaṁ

mukhyaṁ kṛṣṇa-parigrahe

Translation

While Uddhava, the chief and most confidential amongst the devotees of the Lord, was going away, Vidura, in affection and confidence, questioned him.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Devotion Beyond Age

  1. 1

    Vidura was much older than Uddhava, but Uddhava was highly advanced in devotional service to the Lord.

  2. 2

    Uddhava is described as the chief among the Lord’s devotees because of his devotional advancement. Vidura confidently recognized his higher spiritual standing.

  3. 3

    Vidura addressed Uddhava with affection and respect. Such recognition of another’s devotion is courteous conduct between devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • By family relationship Uddhava was a contemporary brother of Kṛṣṇa’s, while Vidura was as elderly as Kṛṣṇa’s father Vasudeva.
  • But although junior by age, Uddhava was much advanced in the devotional service of the Lord, and therefore he is described herein as the chief amongst the devotees of the Lord.
  • Vidura was confident about this, and thus he addressed Uddhava in that higher category.

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. saḥVidura
  2. tamunto Uddhava
  3. mahā-bhāgavatamthe great devotee of the Lord
  4. vrajantamwhile going
  5. kaurava-ṛṣabhaḥthe best amongst the Kauravas
  6. viśrambhātout of confidence
  7. abhyadhattasubmitted
  8. idamthis
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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: “devotees”, “devotional service”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to learn from someone younger who is more advanced in devotional service?

Practice

Offer a sincere word of appreciation to a devotee for a quality of service you have noticed.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Devotion Beyond AgeThis 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 3.4.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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