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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 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.123.5.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.13

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

सा श्रद्दधानस्य विवर्धमाना

विरक्तिमन्यत्र करोति पुंस: ।

हरे: पदानुस्मृतिनिर्वृतस्य

समस्तदु:खाप्ययमाशु धत्ते ॥ १३ ॥

sā śraddadhānasya vivardhamānā

viraktim anyatra karoti puṁsaḥ

hareḥ padānusmṛti-nirvṛtasya

samasta-duḥkhāpyayam āśu dhatte

Translation

For one who is anxious to engage constantly in hearing such topics, kṛṣṇa-kathā gradually increases his indifference towards all other things. Such constant remembrance of the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa by the devotee who has achieved transcendental bliss vanquishes all his miseries without delay.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Faithful Hearing Brings Remembrance and Bliss

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa and kṛṣṇa-kathā are nondifferent on the absolute plane. His name, form and qualities are nondifferent from Him.

  2. 2

    For a sincere devotee, reading Bhagavad-gītā is as good as seeing the Lord face to face. Its spiritual benefit comes through faithful hearing, not through invented interpretations serving an ulterior motive.

  3. 3

    Eager hearing gradually reduces attachment to other things and nourishes remembrance of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. The faithful devotee experiences transcendental bliss that vanquishes material miseries.

Key points from the purport
  • Bhagavad-gītā, being spoken by the Lord, is as good as the Lord Himself.
  • The śraddadhāna, or faithful devotee, can actually derive all the benefits of Bhagavad-gītā because by the omnipotency of the Lord he achieves the transcendental bliss which vanquishes attachment and nullifies all concomitant material miseries.
  • The pure devotee of the Lord enjoys life by constantly remembering the lotus feet of the Lord by hearing kṛṣṇa-kathā.

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

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya

Vidura meets Maitreya, who begins explaining the Lord’s activities and the unfolding of material creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāthose topics of Kṛṣṇa, or kṛṣṇa-kathā
  2. śraddadhānasyaof one who is anxious to hear
  3. vivardhamānāgradually increasing
  4. viraktimindifference
  5. anyatrain other things (than such topics)
  6. karotidoes
  7. puṁsaḥof one who is so engaged
  8. hareḥof the Lord
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “hearing”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I approach Kṛṣṇa’s words to receive His teaching, or to support my own preferences?

Practice

Read a short passage from Bhagavad-gītā today, then pause to remember Kṛṣṇa without imposing your own interpretation.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFaithful Hearing Brings Remembrance and BlissThis 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 3.5.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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