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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
3.4.343.4.36

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.35

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

आत्मानं च कुरुश्रेष्ठ कृष्णेन मनसेक्षितम् ।

ध्यायन् गते भागवते रुरोद प्रेमविह्वल: ॥ ३५ ॥

ātmānaṁ ca kuru-śreṣṭha

kṛṣṇena manasekṣitam

dhyāyan gate bhāgavate

ruroda prema-vihvalaḥ

Translation

Understanding that he was remembered by Lord Kṛṣṇa [while quitting this world], Vidura began to cry loudly, overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Gratitude for Kṛṣṇa’s Causeless Mercy

  1. 1

    Vidura learned that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had remembered him while leaving this world. This overwhelmed him with the ecstasy of love.

  2. 2

    Although Vidura considered himself insignificant, the Lord remembered him by His causeless mercy. Vidura accepted this as a great favor and cried loudly.

  3. 3

    Crying for the Lord in love is the culmination of the progressive path of devotional service. Such love marks success in devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidura was overwhelmed by the ecstasy of love when he understood that Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thought of him at the last moment.
  • Although he thought of himself as insignificant, he was remembered by the Lord, by His causeless mercy.
  • One who can cry for the Lord in love is certainly successful in the line of devotional service.

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. ātmānamhimself
  2. caalso
  3. kuru-śreṣṭhaO best amongst the Kurus
  4. kṛṣṇenaby Kṛṣṇa
  5. manasāby the mind
  6. īkṣitamremembered
  7. dhyāyanthus thinking of
  8. gatehaving gone
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “love”, “ecstasy”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”, “favor”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.4

    In this verse: “cried”, “crying”

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

What can Vidura’s humble gratitude teach me about receiving the Lord’s mercy?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer of gratitude to Kṛṣṇa for His causeless mercy, asking to grow in loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGratitude for Kṛṣṇa’s Causeless MercyThis 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.

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