Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.19.27
तस्मात् त्रीणि पदान्येव वृणे त्वद् वरदर्षभात् ।
एतावतैव सिद्धोऽहं वित्तं यावत्प्रयोजनम् ॥ २७ ॥
tasmāt trīṇi padāny eva
[tasmaat treeni padaany eva]
vṛṇe tvad varadarṣabhāt
[vrine tvad varadarshabhaat]
etāvataiva siddho ’haṁ
[etaavataiva siddho ’ham]
vittaṁ yāvat prayojanam
[vittam yaavat prayojanam]
Word-for-word
tasmāt
—
because of being satisfied by things easily obtained
trīṇi
—
three
padāni
—
steps
eva
—
indeed
vṛṇe
—
I ask
tvat
—
from your good self
varada-ṛṣabhāt
—
who are a munificent benedictor
etāvatā eva
—
merely by such an endowment
siddhaḥ aham
—
I shall feel full satisfaction
vittam
—
achievement
yāvat
—
as far as
prayojanam
—
is needed.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
tasmāt trīṇi padāny eva
tasmāt
because of being satisfied by things easily obtained
trīṇi
three
padāni
steps
eva
indeed
vṛṇe tvad varadarṣabhāt
vṛṇe
I ask
tvat
from your good self
varada-ṛṣabhāt
who are a munificent benedictor
etāvataiva siddho ’haṁ
etāvatā eva
merely by such an endowment
siddhaḥ aham
I shall feel full satisfaction
vittaṁ yāvat prayojanam
vittam
achievement
yāvat
as far as
prayojanam
is needed.
Therefore, O King, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. By such a gift I shall be very pleased, for the way of happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed.
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
Therefore, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. This much will satisfy me. What wealth I need, that much I will accept.
I am successful by this. The inner meaning is “I will be successful by taking way everything you possess.” Whatever amount of wealth I need, that much I will accept.
Related lectures
Personal Guidance
I ask only three paces; by such a gift I shall be very pleased — happiness is to be satisfied with what is needed. The Lord models the philosophy He just preached. He does not ask for more than He needs.
Reflection Questions
- Where does my asking exceed what I actually need, even from the Lord?
- What is the 'three paces' of my real need, and could I limit my asking to just that?
My note
Source: vedabase.io