1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 3 · Chapter 15: Description of the Kingdom of God
3.15.323.15.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.15.33

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The sagessince 3.15.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Brahmā → the demigods

न ह्यन्तरं भगवतीह समस्तकुक्षा-

वात्मानमात्मनि नभो नभसीव धीरा: ।

पश्यन्ति यत्र युवयो: सुरलिङ्गिनो: किं

व्युत्पादितं ह्युदरभेदि भयं यतोऽस्य ॥ ३३ ॥

na hy antaraṁ bhagavatīha samasta-kukṣāv

ātmānam ātmani nabho nabhasīva dhīrāḥ

paśyanti yatra yuvayoḥ sura-liṅginoḥ kiṁ

vyutpāditaṁ hy udara-bhedi bhayaṁ yato ’sya

Translation

In the Vaikuṇṭha world there is complete harmony between the residents and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as there is complete harmony within space between the big and the small skies. Why then is there a seed of fear in this field of harmony? These two persons are dressed like inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha, but wherefrom can their disharmony come into existence?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Harmony Comes From Keeping Kṛṣṇa Central

  1. 1

    Living entities are eternal parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord, meant to satisfy His senses. Their oneness with Him is in quality; a part never becomes equal to the whole.

  2. 2

    Vaikuṇṭha means harmony between the Lord and the living entities, while māyā means disharmony. In Vaikuṇṭha, united interests leave no cause for fear or enmity.

  3. 3

    Real religion means devotional service, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness: recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Lord and supreme enjoyer, and acting accordingly. Keeping Him at the center can bring Vaikuṇṭha harmony even here.

Key points from the purport
  • Māyā means disharmony between the living entities and the Supreme Lord, and Vaikuṇṭha means harmony between them.
  • Actually all living entities are provided for and maintained by the Lord because He is the supreme living entity.
  • Religion is the law and order of the Supreme Lord.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. hibecause
  3. antaramdistinction
  4. bhagavatiin the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. ihahere
  6. samasta-kukṣaueverything is within the abdomen
  7. ātmānamthe living entity
  8. ātmaniin the Supersoul
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “fear”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.15

    In this verse: “māyā”

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 could keeping Kṛṣṇa at the center change the way you cooperate with others?

Practice

In one shared act of devotional service today, put pleasing Kṛṣṇa ahead of having your own preference followed.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHarmony Comes From Keeping Kṛṣṇa CentralThis 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 3.15.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories