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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.333.7.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.34

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

दानस्य तपसो वापि यच्चेष्टापूर्तयो: फलम् ।

प्रवासस्थस्य यो धर्मो यश्च पुंस उतापदि ॥ ३४ ॥

dānasya tapaso vāpi

yac ceṣṭā-pūrtayoḥ phalam

pravāsa-sthasya yo dharmo

yaś ca puṁsa utāpadi

Translation

Please also describe the fruitive results of charity and penance and of digging reservoirs of water. Please describe the situation of persons who are away from home and also the duty of a man in an awkward position.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Charity, Penance and Duties in Difficulty

  1. 1

    The verse asks about the fruitive results of charity, penance and digging reservoirs of water.

  2. 2

    Digging reservoirs for public use is described as a great work of charity. Retiring from family life after fifty is described as a great act of penance performed by a sober person.

  3. 3

    The inquiry also concerns the situation of people away from home and a person's duty in an awkward position.

Key points from the purport
  • The digging of reservoirs of water for public use is a great work of charity, and retiring from family life after fifty years of age is a great act of penance performed by the sober human being.

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. dānasyaof charity
  2. tapasaḥof penance
  3. vāpilake
  4. yatthat which
  5. caand
  6. iṣṭāendeavor
  7. pūrtayoḥof reservoirs of water
  8. phalamfruitive result
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “duty”

  • 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 give more attention to charity that meets a public need?

Practice

Identify one opportunity to support a public water resource, and note a small contribution you could make.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCharity, Penance and Duties in DifficultyThis 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 3.7.34? 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