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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 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening
3.14.273.14.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.14.28

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.14.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

हसन्ति यस्याचरितं हि दुर्भगा:

स्वात्मन्-रतस्याविदुष: समीहितम् ।

यैर्वस्त्रमाल्याभरणानुलेपनै:

श्वभोजनं स्वात्मतयोपलालितम् ॥ २८ ॥

hasanti yasyācaritaṁ hi durbhagāḥ

svātman-ratasyāviduṣaḥ samīhitam

yair vastra-mālyābharaṇānulepanaiḥ

śva-bhojanaṁ svātmatayopalālitam

Translation

Unfortunate, foolish persons, not knowing that he is engaged in his own self, laugh at him. Such foolish persons engage in maintaining the body — which is eatable by dogs — with dresses, ornaments, garlands and ointments.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Serve Kṛṣṇa Rather Than Imitate Śiva

  1. 1

    Those who treat the temporary body as the self may lavish attention on its decoration while laughing at Śiva’s simplicity. They do not understand his purpose.

  2. 2

    Seeking bodily comforts or oneness with Śiva does not reveal his real aim. Imitating his extraordinary acts by using intoxicants leads to ruin.

  3. 3

    Lord Śiva’s real purpose is to serve Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Soul of the soul. He desires that fine garments, garlands, ornaments and cosmetics be offered to Kṛṣṇa, the real enjoyer.

Key points from the purport
  • There are two kinds of devotees of Lord Śiva.
  • The real purpose of Lord Śiva is to serve the Soul of the soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • However, since they do not know this purpose of Lord Śiva, foolish persons either laugh at him or profitlessly try to imitate him.

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

Threat and anger → Rescue and wonder. Divine protection appears amid cosmic confrontation.

Chapters 13–19 of Canto 3: Varāha, Jaya and Vijaya, Hiraṇyākṣa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 14: Pregnancy of Diti in the Evening

Diti desires sons, her husband performs a forbidden act, and their sons’ destruction by the Lord is foretold.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hasantilaugh at
  2. yasyawhose
  3. ācaritamactivity
  4. hicertainly
  5. durbhagāḥthe unfortunate
  6. sva-ātmanin the self
  7. ratasyaof one engaged
  8. aviduṣaḥnot knowing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.14

    In this verse: “understand”

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

Am I trying to enjoy fine things myself, or remembering Kṛṣṇa as the real enjoyer?

Practice

Offer a flower to Lord Kṛṣṇa today, remembering Śiva’s desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayServe Kṛṣṇa Rather Than Imitate ŚivaThis 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 3.14.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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