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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
3.7.393.7.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.40

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

एतान्मे पृच्छत: प्रश्नान् हरे: कर्मविवित्सया ।

ब्रूहि मेऽज्ञस्य मित्रत्वादजया नष्टचक्षुष: ॥ ४० ॥

etān me pṛcchataḥ praśnān

hareḥ karma-vivitsayā

brūhi me ’jñasya mitratvād

ajayā naṣṭa-cakṣuṣaḥ

Translation

My dear sage, I have put all these questions before you with a view to knowing the pastimes of Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You are the friend of all, so kindly describe them for all those who have lost their vision.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Inquire to Grow in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Vidura asked many questions to understand transcendental loving service to Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Devotional service to the Lord is one, and the devotee’s mind is not diverted by many branches of uncertainty. Vidura wanted to be fully situated in that service.

  3. 3

    Maitreya Muni was a friend to all who had lost their spiritual vision through material influence. Vidura appealed to that friendship in asking to hear the Lord’s pastimes.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidura put forward many varieties of questions with a view to understanding the principles of transcendental loving service to the Lord.
  • As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.41), devotional service to the Lord is one, and the mind of the devotee is not diverted to the many branches of uncertainties.
  • He claimed the friendship of Maitreya Muni, not because he was Maitreya’s son but because Maitreya was actually the friend of all who have lost their spiritual vision due to material influence.

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

The purport of SB 3.7.40 quotesBG 2.41

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.41), devotional service to the Lord is one, and the mind of the devotee is not diverted to the many branches of uncertainties.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etānall these
  2. memy
  3. pṛcchataḥof one who inquires
  4. praśnānquestions
  5. hareḥof the Supreme Lord
  6. karmapastimes
  7. vivitsayādesiring to know
  8. brūhikindly describe
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee’s”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “friend”

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 my questions help me become more focused on loving service to the Lord?

Practice

Write down one question about the Lord’s pastimes that you would like to understand in order to deepen your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayInquire to Grow in Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.7.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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