1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.4.353.5.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.4.36

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

कालिन्द्या: कतिभि: सिद्ध अहोभिर्भरतर्षभ ।

प्रापद्यत स्व:सरितं यत्र मित्रासुतो मुनि: ॥ ३६ ॥

kālindyāḥ katibhiḥ siddha

ahobhir bharatarṣabha

prāpadyata svaḥ-saritaṁ

yatra mitrā-suto muniḥ

Translation

After passing a few days on the bank of the river Yamunā, Vidura, the self-realized soul, reached the bank of the Ganges, where the great sage Maitreya was situated.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vidura Approaches the Sage Maitreya

  1. 1

    Vidura passed a few days on the bank of the river Yamunā before continuing his journey.

  2. 2

    He then reached the bank of the Ganges, where the great sage Maitreya was situated.

  3. 3

    The translation describes Vidura as a self-realized soul. Even so, his journey brought him to the place where a great sage was staying.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Vidura Approaches Maitreya.”

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. kālindyāḥon the bank of the Yamunā
  2. katibhiḥa few
  3. siddhebeing so passed
  4. ahobhiḥdays
  5. bharata-ṛṣabhaO best of the Bharata dynasty
  6. prāpadyatareached
  7. svaḥ-saritamthe celestial water of the Ganges
  8. yatrawhere
  9. mitrā-sutaḥthe son of Mitrā
  10. muniḥsage
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

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 can I make room today to approach those who offer spiritual guidance?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to prepare one sincere question for spiritual guidance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVidura Approaches the Sage MaitreyaThis 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 3.4.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories