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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
3.5.163.5.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.17

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.5.17inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्री शुक उवाच

स एवं भगवान् पृष्ट: क्षत्‍त्रा कौषारवो मुनि: ।

पुंसां नि:श्रेयसार्थेन तमाह बहुमानयन् ॥ १७ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

sa evaṁ bhagavān pṛṣṭaḥ

kṣattrā kauṣāravo muniḥ

puṁsāṁ niḥśreyasārthena

tam āha bahu-mānayan

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: The great sage Maitreya Muni, after honoring Vidura very greatly, began to speak, at Vidura’s request, for the greatest welfare of all people.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Benefits All People

  1. 1

    Maitreya Muni greatly honored Vidura before responding to his request. He spoke for the greatest welfare of all people.

  2. 2

    Maitreya is called bhagavān here because his learning and experience surpassed those of ordinary people. His judgment about the world’s greatest welfare is therefore authoritative.

  3. 3

    Devotional service to the Lord is the all-inclusive welfare service for human society. In response to Vidura, Maitreya appropriately described this service.

Key points from the purport
  • The great sage Maitreya Muni is described here as bhagavān because he surpassed all ordinary human beings in learning and experience.
  • Thus his selection of the greatest welfare service for the world is considered authoritative.
  • The all-inclusive welfare service for the entire human society is devotional service to the Lord, and, as requested by Vidura, the sage described the same very appropriately.

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥhe
  3. evamthus
  4. bhagavānthe great sage
  5. pṛṣṭaḥbeing requested
  6. kṣattrāby Vidura
  7. kauṣāravaḥMaitreya
  8. muniḥthe great sage
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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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does seeing devotional service as universal welfare change my understanding of helping others?

Practice

Share this verse’s teaching with one willing listener: devotional service to the Lord benefits all people.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Benefits All PeopleThis 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 3.5.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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