1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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
3.5.443.5.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.45

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

तान् वै ह्यसद्‌वृत्तिभिरक्षिभिर्ये

पराहृतान्तर्मनस: परेश ।

अथो न पश्यन्त्युरुगाय नूनं

ये ते पदन्यासविलासलक्ष्या: ॥ ४५ ॥

tān vai hy asad-vṛttibhir akṣibhir ye

parāhṛtāntar-manasaḥ pareśa

atho na paśyanty urugāya nūnaṁ

ye te padanyāsa-vilāsa-lakṣyāḥ

Translation

O great Supreme Lord, offensive persons whose internal vision has been too affected by external materialistic activities cannot see Your lotus feet, but they are seen by Your pure devotees, whose one and only aim is to transcendentally enjoy Your activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Opens Our Inner Vision

  1. 1

    The Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, but external materialistic activities can cover our internal vision. Pure devotees seek only to enjoy His transcendental activities.

  2. 2

    Individual consciousness is not the supreme consciousness. Denying the Lord’s existence as separate from the individual soul is an offense that obstructs realization of Him.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s devotees travel to enlighten people in God consciousness. Even when people offend them, they continue to bestow the blessings of devotion without hesitation.

Key points from the purport
  • Such offenders cannot actually see the lotus feet of the Lord within themselves, nor are they even able to see the devotees of the Lord.
  • Offenders have to wait until they receive the mercy of devotees, and then they can become eligible to see the lotus feet of the Lord within themselves.
  • But due to their offenses and their extreme materialism, they cannot see even the devotees 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.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.5.45 quotesBG 18.61

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.61), the Lord is situated in everyone’s heart.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tānthe lotus feet of the Lord
  2. vaicertainly
  3. hifor
  4. asatmaterialistic
  5. vṛttibhiḥby those who are influenced by external energy
  6. akṣibhiḥby the senses
  7. yethose
  8. parāhṛtamissing at a distance
3

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotion”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “offense”, “offend”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialistic”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which external activities distract me from remembering the Lord within?

Practice

Set aside one distraction today and spend a quiet minute remembering the Lord’s lotus feet within your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.5's connections

Live this todayDevotion Opens Our Inner VisionThis 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 3.5.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories