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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
3.4.303.4.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.4.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

नोद्धवोऽण्वपि मन्न्यूनो यद्गुणैर्नार्दित: प्रभु: ।

अतो मद्वयुनं लोकं ग्राहयन्निह तिष्ठतु ॥ ३१ ॥

noddhavo ’ṇv api man-nyūno

yad guṇair nārditaḥ prabhuḥ

ato mad-vayunaṁ lokaṁ

grāhayann iha tiṣṭhatu

Translation

Uddhava is not inferior to Me in any way because he is never affected by the modes of material nature. Therefore he may remain in this world in order to disseminate specific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Representing the Lord Through Pure Service

  1. 1

    A representative of the Lord must be unaffected by the modes of material nature. Even the mode of goodness must be transcended to reach unalloyed goodness, called śuddha-sattva.

  2. 2

    One who lives only for the Lord’s loving service through actions, mind and words is liberated, even while apparently living in material conditions. This liberated condition is called jīvan-mukta.

  3. 3

    Uddhava had this transcendental qualification, so the Lord chose him to spread knowledge of the Personality of Godhead. Such a pure devotee can withstand the onslaughts of material nature.

Key points from the purport
  • The specific qualification for becoming the representative of the Lord is to be unaffected by the material modes of nature.
  • As the Lord is not affected by the modes of material nature, so a pure devotee of the Lord is also not affected by the modes of nature.
  • Such a devotee of the Lord can withstand all onslaughts of material nature, and therefore he is known as gosvāmī.

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. nanot
  2. uddhavaḥUddhava
  3. aṇuslightly
  4. apialso
  5. matto Myself
  6. nyūnaḥinferior
  7. yatbecause
  8. guṇaiḥby the modes of material nature
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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

  • 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”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 could my actions, thoughts and words become more devoted to the Lord’s service?

Practice

Choose one small service to the Lord today, and give it your attention in both thought and action.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRepresenting the Lord Through Pure ServiceThis 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 3.4.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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