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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
3.4.253.4.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.26

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Uddhavasince 3.4.26inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitUddhava → Vidura
A turning point forVidura· A new teacher

उद्धव उवाच

ननु ते तत्त्वसंराध्य ऋषि: कौषारवोऽन्तिके ।

साक्षाद्भगवतादिष्टो मर्त्यलोकं जिहासता ॥ २६ ॥

uddhava uvāca

nanu te tattva-saṁrādhya

ṛṣiḥ kauṣāravo ’ntike

sākṣād bhagavatādiṣṭo

martya-lokaṁ jihāsatā

Translation

Śrī Uddhava said: You may take lessons from the great learned sage Maitreya, who is nearby and who is worshipable for reception of transcendental knowledge. He was directly instructed by the Personality of Godhead while He was about to quit this mortal world.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Teach to Serve, Not Gain Honor

  1. 1

    Uddhava directed Vidura to Maitreya, who had also received instruction directly from the Personality of Godhead. Although both were qualified, Uddhava honored Maitreya’s seniority.

  2. 2

    Even someone well versed in spiritual science should not eagerly instruct in the presence of a higher personality. Impertinently surpassing such a person is called maryādā-vyatikrama and harms spiritual progress.

  3. 3

    One should become a spiritual master only to serve the Lord, not for profit or fame. The honor due to an elderly spiritual master must not be passed over for personal gain.

Key points from the purport
  • Although one may be well versed in the transcendental science, one should be careful about the offense of maryādā-vyatikrama, or impertinently surpassing a greater personality.
  • So Uddhava decided to send an elderly person like Vidura to Maitreya, another elderly person, but he was well versed also because he was directly instructed by the Lord while He was about to quit this mortal world.
  • Since both Uddhava and Maitreya were directly instructed by the Lord, both had the authority to become the spiritual master of Vidura or anyone else, but Maitreya, being elderly, had the first claim to becoming the spiritual master, especially for Vidura, who was much older than 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. uddhavaḥ uvācaUddhava said
  2. nanuhowever
  3. teof yourself
  4. tattva-saṁrādhyaḥone who is worshipable for reception of transcendental knowledge
  5. ṛṣiḥlearned scholar
  6. kauṣāravaḥunto the son of Kuṣāru (Maitreya)
  7. antikestaying nearby
  8. sākṣātdirectly
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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: “worshipable”

  • 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

When I share spiritual knowledge, am I seeking service or recognition?

Practice

Before offering spiritual advice today, pause and consider whether a more qualified devotee should guide the discussion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTeach to Serve, Not Gain HonorThis 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 3.4.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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