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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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
3.15.233.15.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.24

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 3.15.24inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

येऽभ्यर्थितामपि च तो नृगतिं प्रपन्ना

ज्ञानं च तत्त्वविषयं सहधर्मं यत्र ।

नाराधनं भगवतो वितरन्त्यमुष्य

सम्मोहिता विततया बत मायया ते ॥ २४ ॥

ye ’bhyarthitām api ca no nṛ-gatiṁ prapannā

jñānaṁ ca tattva-viṣayaṁ saha-dharmaṁ yatra

nārādhanaṁ bhagavato vitaranty amuṣya

sammohitā vitatayā bata māyayā te

Translation

Lord Brahmā said: My dear demigods, the human form of life is of such importance that we also desire to have such life, for in the human form one can attain perfect religious truth and knowledge. If one in this human form of life does not understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His abode, it is to be understood that he is very much affected by the influence of external nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Life for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Even Brahmā and the other demigods desire human life. It is especially suitable for attaining transcendental knowledge and religious perfection.

  2. 2

    In human life, one should at least understand life’s goal and begin Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Neglecting the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His abode shows the influence of the illusory energy.

  3. 3

    The human body is compared to a boat for crossing the ocean of ignorance. The spiritual master is its able captain, and scriptural guidance is the favorable wind.

Key points from the purport
  • Brahmā and other demigods have much better material bodies than human beings, yet the demigods, including Brahmā, nevertheless desire to attain the human form of life because it is specifically meant for the living entity who can attain transcendental knowledge and religious perfection.
  • It is not possible to go back to Godhead in one life, but in the human form one should at least understand the goal of life and begin Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Therefore one who does not begin Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the human form of life loses his life to the influence of the illusory energy.

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 15: Description of the Kingdom of God

Brahmā describes Vaikuṇṭha, where the Kumāras curse two doorkeepers and then behold the Lord.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yethose persons
  2. abhyarthitāmdesired
  3. apicertainly
  4. caand
  5. naḥby us (Brahmā and the other demigods)
  6. nṛ-gatimthe human form of life
  7. prapannāḥhave attained
  8. jñānamknowledge
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “religious”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “favorable”

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

How am I using the opportunity of human life to understand the Lord and begin Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to study scriptural guidance with the intention of beginning or strengthening Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Kṛṣṇa 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 3.15.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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