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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
3.4.243.4.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.25

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.4.25inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura

विदुर उवाच

ज्ञानं परं स्वात्मरह:प्रकाशं

यदाह योगेश्वर ईश्वरस्ते ।

वक्तुं भवान्नोऽर्हति यद्धि विष्णो-

र्भृत्या: स्वभृत्यार्थकृतश्चरन्ति ॥ २५ ॥

vidura uvāca

jñānaṁ paraṁ svātma-rahaḥ-prakāśaṁ

yad āha yogeśvara īśvaras te

vaktuṁ bhavān no ’rhati yad dhi viṣṇor

bhṛtyāḥ sva-bhṛtyārtha-kṛtaś caranti

Translation

Vidura said: O Uddhava, because the servants of Viṣṇu, the Lord, wander in the interest of serving others, it is quite fit that you kindly describe the self-knowledge with which you have been enlightened by the Lord Himself.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Knowledge Serves Everyone

  1. 1

    The Lord’s servants truly serve society by teaching the living being’s relationship with the Supreme Lord, activities in that relationship, and life’s ultimate goal. Knowledge concerned only with bodily necessities is temporary.

  2. 2

    The living being is not the material body but an eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Being. Reviving this self-knowledge is essential for genuine human welfare.

  3. 3

    Transcendental knowledge descends through disciplic succession, not imperfect speculation. A genuine spiritual master knows the science of Kṛṣṇa, regardless of social position.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus the knowledge which was received by Uddhava directly from the Lord deserves to be distributed in human society, especially to persons like Vidura, who are highly advanced in the devotional service of the Lord.
  • Real transcendental knowledge descends in the disciplic succession from the Lord to Uddhava, from Uddhava to Vidura and so on.
  • Vidura was anxious to know from Uddhava that confidential knowledge known as paramāṁ sthitim, in which the Lord is known by His transcendental pastimes.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viduraḥ uvācaVidura said
  2. jñānamknowledge
  3. paramtranscendental
  4. sva-ātmaregarding the self
  5. rahaḥmystery
  6. prakāśamenlightening
  7. yatthat which
  8. āhasaid
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”, “welfare”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “material”

  • 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

Am I seeking knowledge that revives my relationship with the Supreme Lord, or only knowledge for bodily needs?

Practice

Write down this teaching and reflect on it for one minute: “I am not the material body but an eternal part and parcel of the Supreme Being.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Knowledge Serves EveryoneThis 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 3.4.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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