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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
3.5.183.5.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.19

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

नैतच्चित्रं त्वयि क्षत्तर्बादरायणवीर्यजे ।

गृहीतोऽनन्यभावेन यत्त्वया हरिरीश्वर: ॥ १९ ॥

naitac citraṁ tvayi kṣattar

bādarāyaṇa-vīryaje

gṛhīto ’nanya-bhāvena

yat tvayā harir īśvaraḥ

Translation

O Vidura, it is not at all wonderful that you have so accepted the Lord without deviation of thought, for you were born from the semen of Vyāsadeva.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cultivate Devotion From Life’s Beginning

  1. 1

    Maitreya did not find Vidura’s unwavering acceptance of the Lord surprising, because Vidura was born from Vyāsadeva.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that human culture begins at conception. It emphasizes garbhādhāna-saṁskāra, the Vedic reformative ceremony connected with conception.

  3. 3

    The value of noble parentage is considered in relation to spiritual character. The purport stresses generating a good population on the level of Vidura, Vyāsa and Maitreya.

Key points from the purport
  • The value of great parentage and noble birth is evaluated here in connection with the birth of Vidura.
  • According to his status of work, a living entity is placed in a particular father’s semen, and because Vidura was not an ordinary living entity, he was given the chance to be born from the semen of Vyāsa.
  • The birth of a human being is a great science, and therefore reformation of the act of impregnation according to the Vedic ritual called garbhādhāna-saṁskāra is very important for generating good population.

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. nanever
  2. etatsuch inquiries
  3. citramvery wonderful
  4. tvayiin you
  5. kṣattaḥO Vidura
  6. bādarāyaṇaof Vyāsadeva
  7. vīrya-jeborn from the semen
  8. gṛhītaḥaccepted
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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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I place greater value on spiritual character when thinking about family life?

Practice

Write one sentence about a spiritual quality you would like to encourage in your family.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCultivate Devotion From Life’s BeginningThis 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 3.5.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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