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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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.7.423.8.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.8.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

सत्सेवनीयो बत पूरुवंशो

यल्लोकपालो भगवत्प्रधान: ।

बभूविथेहाजितकीर्तिमालां

पदे पदे नूतनयस्यभीक्ष्णम् ॥ १ ॥

maitreya uvāca

sat-sevanīyo bata pūru-vaṁśo

yal loka-pālo bhagavat-pradhānaḥ

babhūvithehājita-kīrti-mālāṁ

pade pade nūtanayasy abhīkṣṇam

Translation

The great sage Maitreya Muni said to Vidura: The royal dynasty of King Pūru is worthy to serve the pure devotees because all the descendants of that family are devoted to the Personality of Godhead. You are also born in that family, and it is wonderful that because of your attempt the transcendental pastimes of the Lord are becoming newer and newer at every moment.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotee Association Awakens Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Pūru dynasty was glorious because its members were directly attached to Bhagavān, the Personality of Godhead. They were worthy to serve the Lord and His pure devotees.

  2. 2

    Vidura engaged in spreading the ever-new glories of the Lord. Maitreya was happy to have his company.

  3. 3

    Association with devotees can awaken and strengthen our dormant inclination toward devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • The great sage Maitreya thanked Vidura and praised him by reference to his family glories.
  • The Pūru dynasty was full of devotees of the Personality of Godhead and was therefore glorious.
  • Because they were not attached to impersonal Brahman or to the localized Paramātmā but were directly attached to Bhagavān, the Personality of Godhead, they were worthy to render service to the Lord and His pure devotees.

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 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu

Brahmā searches for his origin upon the lotus arising from Viṣṇu and beholds the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.8
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. maitreyaḥ uvācaŚrī Maitreya Muni said
  2. sat-sevanīyaḥworthy to serve the pure devotees
  3. bataoh, certainly
  4. pūru-vaṁśaḥthe descendants of King Pūru
  5. yatbecause
  6. loka-pālaḥthe kings are
  7. bhagavat-pradhānaḥchiefly devoted to the Personality of Godhead
  8. babhūvithayou are also born
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.8

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “attached”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Whose association helps awaken your desire to serve the Lord?

Practice

Spend a few minutes hearing or discussing the Lord’s glories with a devotee today.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotee Association Awakens 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 3.8.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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