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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.283.7.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.29

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

वर्णाश्रमविभागांश्च रूपशीलस्वभावत: ।

ऋषीणां जन्मकर्माणि वेदस्य च विकर्षणम् ॥ २९ ॥

varṇāśrama-vibhāgāṁś ca

rūpa-śīla-svabhāvataḥ

ṛṣīṇāṁ janma-karmāṇi

vedasya ca vikarṣaṇam

Translation

O great sage, kindly describe the divisions and orders of human society in terms of symptoms, behavior and the characteristics of mental equilibrium and sense control. Also please describe the births of the great sages and the categorical divisions of the Vedas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Qualification Matters, Not Birth

  1. 1

    The social statuses and spiritual orders are based on individual nature, quality, education, culture and spiritual advancement—not birth. Advancement requires control of the mind and senses.

  2. 2

    Although Vidura was born of a śūdrāṇī mother, his qualifications place him above a brāhmaṇa. Here he appears as the disciple of the great sage Maitreya Muni.

  3. 3

    Understanding the Vedic hymns requires at least brahminical qualifications. The Mahābhārata is also a division of the Vedas and makes Vedic instruction accessible to those less qualified to understand the hymns.

Key points from the purport
  • The four statuses and orders of human society — brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas and śūdras, as wall as brahmacārīs, gṛhasthas, vānaprasthas and sannyāsīs — are all divisions of quality, education, culture and spiritual advancement attained by practicing control of the mind and the senses.
  • Mahābhārata is also a division of the Vedas, but it is meant for women, śūdras and dvija-bandhus, the worthless children of the higher section.
  • The less intelligent section of society can avail themselves of the Vedic instructions simply by studying the Mahābhārata.

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 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. varṇa-āśramathe four divisions of social statuses and orders of spiritual culture
  2. vibhāgānrespective divisions
  3. caalso
  4. rūpapersonal features
  5. śīla-svabhāvataḥpersonal character
  6. ṛṣīṇāmof the sages
  7. janmabirth
  8. karmāṇiactivities
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “mother”

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

Do I value a person’s character and spiritual qualities more than their family background?

Practice

Before one conversation today, pause and choose to control your speech rather than follow an impatient impulse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Qualification Matters, Not BirthThis 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 3.7.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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