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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
3.7.193.7.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.20

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

दुरापा ह्यल्पतपस: सेवा वैकुण्ठवर्त्मसु ।

यत्रोपगीयते नित्यं देवदेवो जनार्दन: ॥ २० ॥

durāpā hy alpa-tapasaḥ

sevā vaikuṇṭha-vartmasu

yatropagīyate nityaṁ

deva-devo janārdanaḥ

Translation

Persons whose austerity is meager can hardly obtain the service of the pure devotees who are progressing on the path back to the kingdom of Godhead, the Vaikuṇṭhas. Pure devotees engage one hundred percent in glorifying the Supreme Lord, who is the Lord of the demigods and the controller of all living entities.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Progress Through Serving Pure Devotees

  1. 1

    The path of liberation is to serve the mahātmās, the pure devotees who are progressing toward Vaikuṇṭha, the kingdom of God.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees always chant and hear the Lord’s glories rather than discuss dry, profitless philosophy. They fully engage in glorifying the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    Even without favorable austerity, one who takes shelter of these devotees is sure to progress back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the mahātmā transcendentalists.
  • As far as Bhagavad-gītā is concerned, the mahātmās are the pure devotees who are on the path to Vaikuṇṭha, the kingdom of God, and who always chant and hear the glories of the Lord rather than talk of dry, profitless philosophy.
  • Even if one has no assets of favorable austerity, if he nevertheless takes shelter of the mahātmās, who are engaged in chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord, he is sure to make progress on the path back home, back to Godhead.

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

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 11.32

This verse is a quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.7.20).

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 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. durāpārarely obtainable
  2. hicertainly
  3. alpa-tapasaḥof one whose austerity is meager
  4. sevāservice
  5. vaikuṇṭhathe transcendental kingdom of God
  6. vartmasuon the path of
  7. yatrawherein
  8. upagīyateis glorified
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “glorifying”, “chant”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “kingdom”

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

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make more room for hearing the Lord’s glories in the company of devotees?

Practice

Offer one small, practical service to a devotee who is engaged in chanting and hearing the Lord’s glories.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProgress Through Serving Pure DevoteesThis 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 3.7.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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