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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
3.5.153.5.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.16

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

स विश्वजन्मस्थितिसंयमार्थे

कृतावतार: प्रगृहीतशक्ति: ।

चकार कर्माण्यतिपूरुषाणि

यानीश्वर: कीर्तय तानि मह्यम् ॥ १६ ॥

sa viśva-janma-sthiti-saṁyamārthe

kṛtāvatāraḥ pragṛhīta-śaktiḥ

cakāra karmāṇy atipūruṣāṇi

yānīśvaraḥ kīrtaya tāni mahyam

Translation

Kindly chant all those superhuman transcendental activities of the supreme controller, the Personality of Godhead, who accepted incarnations fully equipped with all potency for the full manifestation and maintenance of the cosmic creation.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Incarnations Act With Full Potency

  1. 1

    Vidura asks to hear the superhuman, transcendental activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Lord’s incarnations possess full potency for cosmic creation and maintenance.

  2. 2

    Vidura especially wanted to hear about Lord Kṛṣṇa, but was overwhelmed by His departure from the visible world. He therefore requested topics of His puruṣa incarnations.

  3. 3

    The activities of the puruṣa incarnations are extensions of the Lord’s own activities. Vidura’s request helped Maitreya know which activities to describe.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidura was undoubtedly very eager to hear about Lord Kṛṣṇa in particular, but he was overwhelmed because Lord Kṛṣṇa had just passed away from the visible world.
  • He therefore wanted to hear about Him in His puruṣa incarnations, which He manifests with full potencies for the creation and maintenance of the cosmic world.
  • The activities of the puruṣa incarnations are but an extension of the activities of the Lord.

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. saḥthe Personality of Godhead
  2. viśvauniverse
  3. janmacreation
  4. sthitimaintenance
  5. saṁyama-arthewith a view to perfect control
  6. kṛtaaccepted
  7. avatāraḥincarnation
  8. pragṛhītaaccomplished with
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chant”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “kindly”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that the Lord’s incarnations possess His full potencies deepen my desire to hear about Him?

Practice

Read this translation aloud today, giving particular attention to the Lord’s full potency and transcendental activities.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Incarnations Act With Full PotencyThis 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 3.5.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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