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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
3.5.383.5.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.39

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 3.5.39inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

देवा ऊचु:

नमाम ते देव पदारविन्दं

प्रपन्नतापोपशमातपत्रम् ।

यन्मूलकेता यतयोऽञ्जसोरु-

संसारदु:खं बहिरुत्क्षिपन्ति ॥ ३९ ॥

devā ūcuḥ

namāma te deva padāravindaṁ

prapanna-tāpopaśamātapatram

yan-mūla-ketā yatayo ’ñjasoru-

saṁsāra-duḥkhaṁ bahir utkṣipanti

Translation

The demigods said: O Lord, Your lotus feet are like an umbrella for the surrendered souls, protecting them from all the miseries of material existence. All the sages under that shelter throw off all material miseries. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Shelter Removes Material Miseries

  1. 1

    The Lord’s lotus feet are like an umbrella protecting surrendered souls from the miseries of material existence.

  2. 2

    Sages who take shelter of His lotus feet can completely throw off these miseries. Other transcendental efforts cannot accomplish this without His shelter.

  3. 3

    Severe penances and austerities cannot secure liberation without accepting the Lord’s lotus feet. The demigods, His confidential servants, affirm this need for shelter.

Key points from the purport
  • There are many sages and saints who engage in trying to conquer rebirth and all other material miseries.
  • But of all of them, those who take shelter under the lotus feet of the Lord can completely throw off all such miseries without difficulty.
  • They may artificially think of becoming liberated without accepting the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord, but that is not possible.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devāḥ ūcuḥthe demigods said
  2. namāmawe offer our respectful obeisances
  3. teYour
  4. devaO Lord
  5. pada-aravindamlotus feet
  6. prapannasurrendered
  7. tāpadistress
  8. upaśamasuppresses
3

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

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “surrendered”, “shelter”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “protecting”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I seek shelter when material difficulties arise?

Practice

Read the demigods’ prayer aloud once, and offer your own respectful prayer for shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Shelter Removes Material MiseriesThis 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 3.5.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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