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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.5.203.5.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.21

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

भवान् भगवतो नित्यं सम्मत: सानुगस्य ह ।

यस्य ज्ञानोपदेशाय मादिशद्भगवान् व्रजन् ॥ २१ ॥

bhavān bhagavato nityaṁ

sammataḥ sānugasya ha

yasya jñānopadeśāya

mādiśad bhagavān vrajan

Translation

Your good self is one of the eternal associates of the Supreme Personality of Godhead for whose sake the Lord, while going back to His abode, left instructions with me.

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 Cares for His Devotees

  1. 1

    Yamarāja is among the Lord’s most confidential representatives. Such confidential responsibilities are entrusted to great devotees.

  2. 2

    Vidura was recognized as one of the Lord’s eternal associates. Before returning to Vaikuṇṭha, the Supreme Personality of Godhead left instructions for him with Maitreya.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s eternal associates sometimes come to the material world by His order to accompany Him or spread His message. Such empowered representatives are called śaktyāveśa-avatāras.

Key points from the purport
  • Such confidential posts are offered to great devotees of the Lord who are as good as His eternal associates in the spiritual sky.
  • And because Vidura happened to be among them, the Lord, while returning to Vaikuṇṭha, left instructions for Vidura with Maitreya Muni.
  • Generally the eternal associates of the Lord in the spiritual sky do not come to the material world.

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. bhavānyour good self
  2. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
  3. nityameternal
  4. sammataḥrecognized
  5. sa-anugasyaone of the associates
  6. hahave been
  7. yasyaof whom
  8. jñānaknowledge
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the Lord’s care in arranging instruction for Vidura deepen my appreciation of spiritual guidance?

Practice

Set aside five quiet minutes today to attentively study the Lord’s instructions.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Cares for His DevoteesThis 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 3.5.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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