1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 8: Manifestation of Brahmā from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu
3.8.263.8.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.27

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

मुखेन लोकार्तिहरस्मितेन

परिस्फुरत्कुण्डलमण्डितेन ।

शोणायितेनाधरबिम्बभासा

प्रत्यर्हयन्तं सुनसेन सुभ्र्वा ॥ २७ ॥

mukhena lokārti-hara-smitena

parisphurat-kuṇḍala-maṇḍitena

śoṇāyitenādhara-bimba-bhāsā

pratyarhayantaṁ sunasena subhrvā

Translation

He also acknowledged the service of the devotees and vanquished their distress by His beautiful smile. The reflection of His face, decorated with earrings, was so pleasing because it dazzled with the rays from His lips and the beauty of His nose and eyebrows.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Reciprocates With His Devotees

  1. 1

    The Lord acknowledged His devotees’ service and vanquished their distress with His beautiful smile.

  2. 2

    Devotees ask for nothing in exchange for their service. They refuse even liberation when the Lord offers it.

  3. 3

    The Lord becomes like a debtor to His devotees and responds with His enchanting smile. His smile enlivens them, and their joy further satisfies Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Devotees do not ask anything from the Lord in exchange for their service.
  • Thus the Lord becomes a kind of debtor to the devotees, and He can only try to repay the devotees’ service with His ever-enchanting smile.
  • So there is continuous transcendental competition between the Lord and His devotees by such reciprocation of service and acknowledgement.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mukhenaby a gesture of the face
  2. loka-ārti-haravanquisher of the distress of the devotees
  3. smitenaby smiling
  4. parisphuratdazzling
  5. kuṇḍalaearrings
  6. maṇḍitenadecorated with
  7. śoṇāyitenaacknowledging
  8. adharaof His lips
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotees’”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “distress”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would it mean for me to serve simply for the Lord’s satisfaction?

Practice

Offer one small act of devotional service today without asking for anything in return.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Reciprocates With His DevoteesThis 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 3.8.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories