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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
3.4.323.4.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.33

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

विदुरोऽप्युद्धवाच्छ्रुत्वा कृष्णस्य परमात्मन: ।

क्रीडयोपात्तदेहस्य कर्माणि श्लाघितानि च ॥ ३३ ॥

viduro ’py uddhavāc chrutvā

kṛṣṇasya paramātmanaḥ

krīḍayopātta-dehasya

karmāṇi ślāghitāni ca

Translation

Vidura also heard from Uddhava about the appearance and disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supersoul, in the mortal world, which is a subject matter sought after with great perseverance by the great sages.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes Have No Beginning or End

  1. 1

    Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is never an ordinary living being: He is paramātmā, the Supersoul. His appearance and disappearance are mysteries even for great sages.

  2. 2

    By His inconceivable potency, Kṛṣṇa eternally resides with His associates in Goloka while also being present everywhere. He exhibits His pastimes in the mortal world in different universes, one after another.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s eternal pastimes have no beginning or end. Like Vidura hearing from Uddhava, we should learn about them from a pure devotee rather than rely on speculative research.

Key points from the purport
  • The subject matter of the appearance and disappearance of the Supersoul, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is a mystery even for the great sages.
  • Yet His appearance as one of the human beings and His disappearance again from the mortal world are subject matters for the research workers who execute research work with great perseverance.
  • But even the great sages have no information that beyond the material sky is the spiritual sky where Śrī Kṛṣṇa eternally resides with His associates, although at the same time He exhibits His pastimes in the mortal world in all the universes one after another.

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. viduraḥVidura
  2. apialso
  3. uddhavātfrom the source of Uddhava
  4. śrutvāhaving heard
  5. kṛṣṇasyaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
  6. parama-ātmanaḥof the Supersoul
  7. krīḍayāfor the sake of pastimes in the mortal world
  8. upāttaextraordinarily accepted
3

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • 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 does knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the Supersoul change the way I hear about His appearance and disappearance?

Practice

Reread this purport slowly, focusing on how Kṛṣṇa remains in His eternal abode while also being present everywhere.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa’s Pastimes Have No Beginning or EndThis 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 3.4.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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