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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
3.5.33.5.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.4

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तत्साधुवर्यादिश वर्त्म शं न:

संराधितो भगवान् येन पुंसाम् ।

हृदि स्थितो यच्छति भक्तिपूते

ज्ञानं सतत्त्वाधिगमं पुराणम् ॥ ४ ॥

tat sādhu-varyādiśa vartma śaṁ naḥ

saṁrādhito bhagavān yena puṁsām

hṛdi sthito yacchati bhakti-pūte

jñānaṁ sa-tattvādhigamaṁ purāṇam

Translation

Therefore, O great sage, please give me instruction on the transcendental devotional service of the Lord, so that He who is situated in the heart of everyone can be pleased to impart, from within, knowledge of the Absolute Truth in terms of the ancient Vedic principles delivered only to those who are purified by the process of devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Opens the Heart to Guidance

  1. 1

    Devotional service alone completely purifies the heart of material coverings. The pure devotee seeks neither fruitive results nor philosophical speculation.

  2. 2

    The Lord dwells in everyone's heart alongside the individual soul. Pleased by loving service, He gives the devotee knowledge and guidance toward returning home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    Beginners follow the prescribed rules of devotional service given in scripture and confirmed by great ācāryas. This practice can lead to rāga-bhakti, in which the Lord responds from within as the spiritual master.

Key points from the purport
  • Only when the Lord is satisfied with the devotional service of the devotee does He impart knowledge, as He did for Arjuna and Uddhava.
  • The process of understanding the Absolute Truth adopted by the misguided nondualist is very difficult, whereas the devotee’s way of understanding the Absolute Truth comes directly from the Lord, who is pleased by devotional service.
  • On behalf of many neophyte devotees, Vidura, at the very first instance, inquired from Maitreya about the path of devotional service, by which the Lord, who is seated within the heart, can be pleased.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.5.4 quotesBG 10.10

This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10): teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatām.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. tattherefore
  2. sādhu-varyaO great one amongst the saints
  3. ādiśaplease instruct
  4. vartmathe path
  5. śamauspicious
  6. naḥfor us
  7. saṁrādhitaḥbeing perfectly served
  8. bhagavānthe Personality of Godhead
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”, “philosophical”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “purified”, “purifies”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking spiritual knowledge chiefly to understand more, or to serve and please the Lord?

Practice

Reread Vidura's request for instruction and make a sincere request to learn how to please the Lord through service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Opens the Heart to GuidanceThis 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 3.5.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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