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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
3.5.173.5.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.5.18inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

साधु पृष्टं त्वया साधो लोकान् साध्वनुगृह्णता ।

कीर्तिं वितन्वता लोके आत्मनोऽधोक्षजात्मन: ॥ १८ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sādhu pṛṣṭaṁ tvayā sādho

lokān sādhv anugṛhṇatā

kīrtiṁ vitanvatā loke

ātmano ’dhokṣajātmanaḥ

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: O Vidura, all glory unto you. You have inquired from me of the greatest of all goodness, and thus you have shown your mercy both to the world and to me because your mind is always absorbed in thoughts of the Transcendence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Inquiry Benefits Everyone

  1. 1

    Maitreya honored Vidura’s inquiries as a mercy both to the world and to himself. He recognized that Vidura’s mind was absorbed in thoughts of the Lord.

  2. 2

    Adhokṣaja means that which transcends sense perception. The Lord is beyond our sense experience, but He reveals Himself to the sincere devotee.

  3. 3

    Vidura’s constant thought of the Lord gave his inquiries spiritual value. Maitreya appreciated them and thanked him with great honor.

Key points from the purport
  • Maitreya Muni, who was experienced in the science of Transcendence, could understand that Vidura’s mind was fully absorbed in Transcendence.
  • Because Vidura was always absorbed in thought of the Lord, Maitreya could estimate Vidura’s transcendental value.
  • He appreciated the valuable inquiries of Vidura and thus thanked him with great honor.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaŚrī Maitreya said
  2. sādhuall good
  3. pṛṣṭamI am asked
  4. tvayāby you
  5. sādhoO good one
  6. lokānall the people
  7. sādhu anugṛhṇatāshowing mercy in goodness
  8. kīrtimglories
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “inquired”, “inquiries”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my questions help me become more sincerely absorbed in the Lord?

Practice

Write down one sincere question about the Lord that you would like to understand better.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Inquiry Benefits EveryoneThis 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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