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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
3.7.413.8.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.42

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.7.42inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीशुक उवाच

स इत्थमापृष्टपुराणकल्प: कुरुप्रधानेन मुनिप्रधान: ।

प्रवृद्धहर्षो भगवत्कथायां सञ्चोदितस्तं प्रहसन्निवाह ॥ ४२ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

sa ittham āpṛṣṭa-purāṇa-kalpaḥ

kuru-pradhānena muni-pradhānaḥ

pravṛddha-harṣo bhagavat-kathāyāṁ

sañcoditas taṁ prahasann ivāha

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Thus the chief of the sages, who was always enthusiastic about describing topics regarding the Personality of Godhead, began to narrate the descriptive explanation of the Purāṇas, being so infused by Vidura. He was very much enlivened by speaking on the transcendental activities of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Joy in Speaking About the Lord

  1. 1

    Great learned sages like Maitreya Muni are always enthusiastic about describing the Lord’s transcendental activities.

  2. 2

    Encouraged by Vidura’s questions, the sage began explaining the Purāṇas and speaking about the Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Maitreya Muni appeared to be smiling because he felt transcendental bliss. Speaking about the Lord’s activities greatly enlivened him.

Key points from the purport
  • Great learned sages like Maitreya Muni are always very enthusiastic about describing the transcendental activities of the Lord.
  • Maitreya Muni, being thus invited by Vidura to speak, appeared to be smiling because he actually felt transcendental bliss.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Seventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Further Inquiries by Vidura.”

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. śrī-śukaḥ uvācaŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said
  2. saḥhe
  3. itthamthus
  4. āpṛṣṭabeing questioned
  5. purāṇa-kalpaḥone who knows how to explain the supplements of the Vedas (the Purāṇas)
  6. kuru-pradhānenaby the chief of the Kurus
  7. muni-pradhānaḥthe chief amongst the sages
  8. pravṛddhasufficiently enriched
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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

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

What is my attitude toward opportunities to hear and speak about the Lord’s activities?

Practice

Read this verse aloud today, giving careful attention to the joy Maitreya felt in speaking about the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayJoy in Speaking About the LordThis 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 3.7.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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