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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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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.73.7.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 3.7.8inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

श्रीशुक उवाच

स इत्थं चोदित: क्षत्‍त्रा तत्त्वजिज्ञासुना मुनि: ।

प्रत्याह भगवच्चित्त: स्मयन्निव गतस्मय: ॥ ८ ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca

sa itthaṁ coditaḥ kṣattrā

tattva-jijñāsunā muniḥ

pratyāha bhagavac-cittaḥ

smayann iva gata-smayaḥ

Translation

Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, Maitreya, being thus agitated by the inquisitive Vidura, at first seemed astonished, but then he replied to him without hesitation, since he was fully God conscious.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Opens Understanding by Grace

  1. 1

    Maitreya appeared surprised by Vidura’s questions, but he quickly became settled and replied properly. He was filled with God consciousness.

  2. 2

    A devotee knows the Lord to some extent. Devotional service makes the devotee able to understand everything by the Lord’s grace.

  3. 3

    A devotee may outwardly appear ignorant while possessing knowledge of intricate matters. Maitreya’s apparent surprise did not mean he lacked understanding.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the great sage Maitreya was filled with God consciousness, he had no reason to be astonished at such contradictory questions by Vidura.
  • Therefore, although as a devotee he externally expressed surprise, as if he did not know how to reply to those questions, he immediately became perfectly settled and properly replied to Vidura.
  • Although a devotee may apparently express himself to be ignorant, he is full of knowledge in every intricate matter.

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 (Maitreya Muni)
  3. itthamin this way
  4. coditaḥbeing agitated
  5. kṣattrāby Vidura
  6. tattva-jijñāsunāby one who was anxious to inquire to know the truth
  7. muniḥthe great sage
  8. pratyāhareplied
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “king”

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 seek spiritual understanding through devotional service and the Lord’s grace, or only through my own effort?

Practice

Before studying today, offer a brief prayer asking for understanding through the Lord’s grace and a desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Opens Understanding by GraceThis 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 3.7.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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