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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
3.5.483.5.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.49

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

यावद्बलिं तेऽज हराम काले

यथा वयं चान्नमदाम यत्र ।

यथोभयेषां त इमे हि लोका

बलिं हरन्तोऽन्नमदन्त्यनूहा: ॥ ४९ ॥

yāvad baliṁ te ’ja harāma kāle

yathā vayaṁ cānnam adāma yatra

yathobhayeṣāṁ ta ime hi lokā

baliṁ haranto ’nnam adanty anūhāḥ

Translation

O unborn one, please enlighten us regarding the ways and means by which we can offer You all enjoyable grains and commodities so that both we and all other living entities in this world can maintain ourselves without disturbance and can easily accumulate the necessities of life both for You and for ourselves.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Offer Food With Gratitude

  1. 1

    The demigods are ready to serve because they know that every living entity is an eternal subordinate servant of the Supreme Lord. They also know that He alone maintains all living beings.

  2. 2

    Food grains, vegetables, fruits and milk are provided by the Lord’s grace. Human beings should acknowledge His mercy with gratitude.

  3. 3

    Food should first be offered to the Lord in sacrifice, and then its remnants should be accepted. The purport connects proper maintenance with a God conscious, devotional life.

Key points from the purport
  • They also know that it is the Lord only who can maintain all living entities with all the necessities of life.
  • The devotees or demigods are fully aware that the Lord can maintain any number of living entities, provided they are conscious of how to eat.
  • When human society is grateful to the Lord for all His gifts for the maintenance of the living entities, then there is certainly no scarcity or want in society.

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 3.5.49 quotesBG 3.13

In Bhagavad-gītā (3.13) it is confirmed that one who takes foodstuff after a performance of sacrifice eats real food for proper maintenance of the body and soul, but one who cooks for himself and does not perform any sacrifice eats only lumps of sin in the shape of foodstuffs.

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. yāvatas it may be
  2. balimofferings
  3. teYour
  4. ajaO unborn one
  5. harāmashall offer
  6. kāleat the right time
  7. yathāas much as
  8. vayamwe
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my way of eating express gratitude and service to the Lord?

Practice

Before eating some fruit today, first offer it to the Lord with gratitude, then accept it as the remnant of that offering.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOffer Food With GratitudeThis 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 3.5.49? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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