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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
3.5.413.5.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.42

Mukti· Liberation
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

यच्छ्रद्धया श्रुतवत्या य भक्त्या

संमृज्यमाने हृदयेऽवधाय ।

ज्ञानेन वैराग्यबलेन धीरा

व्रजेम तत्तेऽङ्‌घ्रिसरोजपीठम् ॥ ४२ ॥

yac chraddhayā śrutavatyā ca bhaktyā

sammṛjyamāne hṛdaye ’vadhāya

jñānena vairāgya-balena dhīrā

vrajema tat te ’ṅghri-saroja-pīṭham

Translation

Simply by hearing about Your lotus feet with eagerness and devotion and by meditating upon them within the heart, one at once becomes enlightened with knowledge, and on the strength of detachment one becomes pacified. We must therefore take shelter of the sanctuary of Your lotus feet.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Hearing Brings Knowledge and Detachment

  1. 1

    Even a materially disturbed person can gain knowledge and detachment by eagerly hearing about the Lord’s transcendental name, fame and qualities.

  2. 2

    True knowledge must be accompanied by detachment from material enjoyment. Devotional service quickly manifests both and makes one dhīra—steady even when there is cause for disturbance.

  3. 3

    Devotional service entails initiation by a bona fide spiritual master and following his instructions about hearing. Regular hearing from a bona fide devotee brings the highest result.

Key points from the purport
  • The miracles of meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord with eagerness and devotion are so great that no other process can compare to it.
  • But even such materialistic men, with a little eagerness for hearing about the transcendental name, fame, qualities, etc., can surpass all other methods of attaining knowledge and detachment.
  • A devotee of the Lord becomes an elevated dhīra by the simple process of meditating in eagerness on the lotus feet of the Lord.

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. yatthat which
  2. śraddhayāby eagerness
  3. śrutavatyāsimply by hearing
  4. caalso
  5. bhaktyāin devotion
  6. sammṛjyamānebeing cleansed
  7. hṛdayein the heart
  8. avadhāyameditation
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “hearing”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my hearing about the Lord helping me become less attached and more steady?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing a bona fide devotee speak about the Lord, giving the message your full attention.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Hearing Brings Knowledge and DetachmentThis 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 3.5.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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