Canto 3: The Status Quo
SB3.27

Canto 3 · Chapter 27 · 30 verses · 1 story

Understanding Material Nature

Kapila explains how hearing, chanting, knowledge, and devotional service free the soul from material nature.

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Connected storiesThe gopīs and the rāsa dance
Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → DevahūtiEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Lord Kapila, Devahūti

The story · After Kardama left for the forest, Kapila remained at Bindu-sarovara to please His mother. Devahūti recognized Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and He compassionately taught her about devotional service and spiritual realization. He explained material nature, the soul’s bondage, and liberation through hearing and chanting about Him. He also described disciplined yoga and meditation upon the Lord’s eternal form. When Devahūti asked further about devotion, He taught that worship must include recognition of His presence in all living entities.

What it teaches · Devotional service, supported by hearing, chanting, and association with devotees, brings knowledge and detachment. Temple worship does not please the Lord when one ignores His presence in other living beings.

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

What it teaches · Kṛṣṇa explains that desires fixed upon Him do not produce ordinary material desire for sense gratification. The gopīs’ attention is centered upon Him.

The highest example of pure devotional service is that of the gopīs in Vṛndāvana.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.27.27 (Text 27)
Read the story in SB 10.20–22