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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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.6.403.7.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.7.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीशुक उवाच

एवं ब्रुवाणं मैत्रेयं द्वैपायनसुतो बुध: ।

प्रीणयन्निव भारत्या विदुर: प्रत्यभाषत ॥ १ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

evaṁ bruvāṇaṁ maitreyaṁ

dvaipāyana-suto budhaḥ

prīṇayann iva bhāratyā

viduraḥ pratyabhāṣata

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, while Maitreya, the great sage, was thus speaking, Vidura, the learned son of Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, expressed a request in a pleasing manner by asking this question.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask Spiritual Questions in a Pleasing Manner

  1. 1

    Vidura listened while the great sage Maitreya was speaking.

  2. 2

    Although Vidura was learned, he approached Maitreya with a request and a question.

  3. 3

    Vidura expressed his request in a pleasing manner. His inquiry joined learning with respectful speech.

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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura

Vidura asks about illusion, the soul, creation, religious duties, and the relationship between teacher and disciple.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. evamthus
  3. bruvāṇamspeaking
  4. maitreyamunto the sage Maitreya
  5. dvaipāyana-sutaḥthe son of Dvaipāyana
  6. budhaḥlearned
  7. prīṇayanin a pleasing manner
  8. ivaas it was
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “inquiry”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make my questions both sincere and pleasing to hear?

Practice

Write one spiritual question you have, phrasing it as a respectful request for understanding.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Spiritual Questions in a Pleasing MannerThis 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 3.7.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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