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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 10 · The Summum Bonum · 90 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 10 · Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee
10.47.3010.47.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 10.47.31

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Lordsince 10.47.29inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

आत्मा ज्ञानमय: शुद्धो व्यतिरिक्तोऽगुणान्वय: ।

सुषुप्तिस्वप्नजाग्रद्भ‍िर्मायावृत्तिभिरीयते ॥ ३१ ॥

ātmā jñāna-mayaḥ śuddho

vyatirikto ’guṇānvayaḥ

suṣupti-svapna-jāgradbhir

māyā-vṛttibhir īyate

Translation

Being composed of pure consciousness, or knowledge, the soul is distinct from everything material and is uninvolved in the entanglements of the modes of nature. We can perceive the soul through the three functions of material nature known as wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.

Read the purport on Vedabase.io

From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Soul Is Pure Consciousness

  1. 1

    The soul consists of pure knowledge, or consciousness. It is distinct from material nature and uninvolved in the reactions of its modes.

  2. 2

    The soul can be perceived through the changing conditions of wakefulness, sleep and deep sleep.

  3. 3

    The word ātmā can also mean the Supreme Soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa. Deep study of this world, whose material phenomena are His expansions, can lead to perception of God.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clearly stated here that the soul, ātmā, is constituted of pure knowledge, pure consciousness, and is thus ontologically distinct from the material nature.
  • Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī points out that the word ātmā may also be taken to mean “the Supreme Soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
  • From this point of view also, the gopīs were advised not to lament.

The purport'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

Heartache → Unbroken remembrance. Love endures and deepens despite visible absence.

Chapters 46–49 of Canto 10: Uddhava, the gopīs and the Song of the Bee. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 47: The Song of the Bee

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Quoting Lord Kṛṣṇa, Uddhava said, “I am the Supreme Soul and supreme shelter of all. By My potencies I create, maintain and destroy the cosmos.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 10.47
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ātmāthe soul
  2. jñāna-mayaḥcomprising transcendental knowledge
  3. śuddhaḥpure
  4. vyatiriktaḥseparate
  5. aguṇa-anvayaḥuninvolved in the reactions of the material modes
  6. suṣuptiin deep sleep
  7. svapnaordinary sleep
  8. jāgradbhiḥand waking consciousness
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 10.47

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering that the soul is distinct from material nature change your view of daily experiences?

Practice

Pause today and reflect: “The soul is pure consciousness, distinct from changing material conditions.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Soul Is Pure ConsciousnessThis 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 10.47.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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