Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service

Kapila teaches disciplined yoga and devoted meditation upon the Lord’s eternal form.

Themes of SB 3.28Jñāna5 Bhakti5 Vairāgya5 Śuddhi4 from its story phase

Connected storiesBrahmā's birth from the lotusThe avadhūta's teachersAmbarīṣa MahārājaPrahlāda Mahārāja

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.

SB 3.25.5 SB 3.27.21 SB 3.29.24 Read chapter 25 ›

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.

Brahmā's birth from the lotus

SB 3.8–12 · Brahmā discovers his source

What it teaches · Brahmā’s greatness rests upon his devotional service and mature transcendental knowledge. The Lord teaches that seeing Him in all living entities and throughout the universe frees one from illusion.

From His navel, which is the foundation of the entire universe, sprang the lotus stem containing all the different planetary systems.
In the verse · SB 3.28.25 (Text 25)

Just as a child is connected to his mother by the umbilical cord, so the first-born living creature, Brahmā, by the supreme will of the Lord, is connected to the Lord by a lotus stem.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.25 (Text 25)

Read the story in SB 3.8–12

The avadhūta's teachers

SB 11.7–9 · The avadhūta’s many teachers SB 11.8 · Piṅgalā finds happiness in detachment SB 11.9 · The young girl’s bracelets

What it teaches · Material attachment brings misery, while detachment frees the mind for worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

The nerves through which inhalation and exhalation are conducted are technically called iḍā and piṅgalā.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.9 (Text 9)

Read the story in SB 11.7–9

Ambarīṣa Mahārāja

SB 9.4–5 · Ambarīṣa protects Durvāsā

What it teaches · A devotee finds happiness in serving Kṛṣṇa rather than in wealth or mystic achievements. Ambarīṣa’s humility and compassion extended even to the person who had offended him.

…the devotee Ambarīṣa Mahārāja fixed his mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.9 (Text 9)

The Vedic literatures contain many narrations of the Lord’s pastimes, including the Battle of Kurukṣetra and historical facts relating to the life and precepts of devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja and Ambarīṣa Mahārāja.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.6 (Text 6)

Read the story in SB 9.4–5

Prahlāda Mahārāja

SB 7.5 · Prahlāda remains faithful SB 7.6 · Prahlāda teaches his schoolmates SB 7.7 · Prahlāda hears within the womb

What it teaches · Prahlāda’s devotion does not depend on his teachers’ approval or his father’s favor. His spiritual understanding makes him equal toward everyone.

Arjuna, Prahlāda, Janaka Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja and many other devotees were not even in the renounced order of life, but were householders.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.18 (Text 18)

The Vedic literatures contain many narrations of the Lord’s pastimes, including the Battle of Kurukṣetra and historical facts relating to the life and precepts of devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja and Ambarīṣa Mahārāja.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 3.28.6 (Text 6)

Read the story in SB 7.5

Same themes in another canto

Both chapters carry these themes strongly in the themes map, an editorial reading of each chapter's story.

Next in Learn · 4 of 11 · 5 minStudy a verseOne verse with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and three study points from the purport.Back · LearnPreface & Introduction