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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
3.7.353.7.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.36

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

अनुव्रतानां शिष्याणां पुत्राणां च द्विजोत्तम ।

अनापृष्टमपि ब्रूयुर्गुरवो दीनवत्सला: ॥ ३६ ॥

anuvratānāṁ śiṣyāṇāṁ

putrāṇāṁ ca dvijottama

anāpṛṣṭam api brūyur

guravo dīna-vatsalāḥ

Translation

O best among the brāhmaṇas, those who are spiritual masters are very kind to the needy. They are always kind to their followers, disciples and sons, and without being asked by them, the spiritual master describes all that is knowledge.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Spiritual Master's Kindness Gives Knowledge

  1. 1

    The bona fide spiritual master is kind to the needy and has many subjects of knowledge to share.

  2. 2

    Followers, disciples and sons are on one level for him. He speaks to them on transcendental subjects even without being asked.

  3. 3

    Vidura appealed to Maitreya Muni to explain subjects he might not have asked about. His inquiry leaves room for the teacher's broader guidance.

Key points from the purport
  • The followers, disciples and sons are all on one level for the bona fide spiritual master, and he is always kind to them and always speaks to them on transcendental subjects, even though he is not asked by them.
  • Vidura appealed to Maitreya Muni to speak on subjects about which he might not have asked.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anuvratānāmthe followers
  2. śiṣyāṇāmof the disciples
  3. putrāṇāmof the sons
  4. caalso
  5. dvija-uttamaO best amongst the brāhmaṇas
  6. anāpṛṣṭamthat which is not asked for
  7. apiin spite of
  8. brūyuḥplease describe
  9. guravaḥthe spiritual masters
  10. dīna-vatsalāḥwho are kind to the needy
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “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

Am I open to spiritual guidance on subjects I have not thought to ask about?

Practice

Read a short teaching from a bona fide spiritual master on a subject you would not usually choose.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Spiritual Master's Kindness Gives KnowledgeThis 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 3.7.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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