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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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy
3.9.43.9.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.9.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

ये तु त्वदीयचरणाम्बुजकोशगन्धं

जिघ्रन्ति कर्णविवरै: श्रुतिवातनीतम् ।

भक्त्या गृहीतचरण: परया च तेषां

नापैषि नाथ हृदयाम्बुरुहात्स्वपुंसाम् ॥ ५ ॥

ye tu tvadīya-caraṇāmbuja-kośa-gandhaṁ

jighranti karṇa-vivaraiḥ śruti-vāta-nītam

bhaktyā gṛhīta-caraṇaḥ parayā ca teṣāṁ

nāpaiṣi nātha hṛdayāmburuhāt sva-puṁsām

Translation

O my Lord, persons who smell the aroma of Your lotus feet, carried by the air of Vedic sound through the holes of the ears, accept Your devotional service. For them You are never separated from the lotus of their hearts.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing Awakens Intimate Devotion

  1. 1

    Pure devotees desire nothing beyond the Lord’s lotus feet. The Lord also does not wish to leave the lotus hearts of such devotees.

  2. 2

    This relationship develops through devotional service grounded in Vedic authority. It is not merely material sentiment.

  3. 3

    Spontaneous love of God can be attained by hearing about His name, form and qualities. The purport directs us to authentic sources recited by pure devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • For the pure devotee of the Lord there is nothing beyond the lotus feet of the Lord, and the Lord knows that such devotees do not wish anything more than that.
  • The Lord also does not wish to be separated from the lotus hearts of those pure devotees.
  • The relationship of the pure devotees with the Lord develops because of devotional service to the Lord on the authentic basis of Vedic authority.

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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy

Brahmā prays for mercy and creative power, and the Lord instructs and blesses him.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.9
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose who
  2. tubut
  3. tvadīyaYour
  4. caraṇa-ambujalotus feet
  5. kośainside
  6. gandhamflavor
  7. jighrantismell
  8. karṇa-vivaraiḥthrough the channel of the ears
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 3.9

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “hearing”, “recited”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “separated”

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

How can I give more attentive hearing to authentic teachings about the Lord?

Practice

Spend five minutes listening to a pure devotee’s recitation of Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHearing Awakens Intimate DevotionThis 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 3.9.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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