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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
3.8.53.8.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.8.6

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

मुहुर्गृणन्तो वचसानुराग-

स्खलत्पदेनास्य कृतानि तज्ज्ञा: ।

किरीटसाहस्रमणिप्रवेक-

प्रद्योतितोद्दामफणासहस्रम् ॥ ६ ॥

muhur gṛṇanto vacasānurāga-

skhalat-padenāsya kṛtāni taj-jñāḥ

kirīṭa-sāhasra-maṇi-praveka-

pradyotitoddāma-phaṇā-sahasram

Translation

The four Kumāras, headed by Sanat-kumāra, who all knew the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, glorified the Lord in rhythmic accents with selected words full of affection and love. At that time Lord Saṅkarṣaṇa, with His thousands of raised hoods, began to radiate an effulgence from the glowing stones on His head.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Devotion Gives Life to Prayer

  1. 1

    The four Kumāras knew the Lord’s transcendental pastimes and glorified Him with selected words full of affection and love.

  2. 2

    The Lord is called uttamaśloka, meaning one worshiped by devotees with selected words. Such words flow from absorption in loving devotional service.

  3. 3

    Fine affection and love are needed to offer prayers suitably. Even a small boy who is a great devotee can offer excellent prayers glorifying the Lord’s pastimes.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord is sometimes addressed as uttamaśloka, which means “one who is worshiped with selected words by devotees.”
  • A profusion of such selected words comes from a devotee who is fully absorbed in affection and love for the devotional service of the Lord.
  • In other words, without the development of fine affection and love, one cannot offer prayers to the Lord very suitably.

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. muhuḥagain and again
  2. gṛṇantaḥglorifying
  3. vacasāby words
  4. anurāgawith great affection
  5. skhalat-padenawith symmetrical rhythm
  6. asyaof the Lord
  7. kṛtāniactivities
  8. tat-jñāḥthose who know the pastimes
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 3.8

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “glorified”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.8

    In this verse: “love”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When you pray, how much attention do you give to affection rather than polished wording?

Practice

Offer a short prayer glorifying the Lord, choosing words that express sincere affection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.8's connections

Live this todayLoving Devotion Gives Life to PrayerThis 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 3.8.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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