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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni
3.24.353.24.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.36

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.24.35inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

एतन्मे जन्म लोकेऽस्मिन्मुमुक्षूणां दुराशयात् ।

प्रसंख्यानाय तत्त्वानां सम्मतायात्मदर्शने ॥ ३६ ॥

etan me janma loke ’smin

mumukṣūṇāṁ durāśayāt

prasaṅkhyānāya tattvānāṁ

sammatāyātma-darśane

Translation

My appearance in this world is especially to explain the philosophy of Sāṅkhya, which is highly esteemed for self-realization by those desiring freedom from the entanglement of unnecessary material desires.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Truth Beyond the Temporary Body

  1. 1

    Lord Kapila appeared to explain Sāṅkhya philosophy for self-realization and freedom from unnecessary material desires.

  2. 2

    The material body is a source of troubles and miseries, however comfortably it is maintained. The body is destined to perish, but the soul within it is eternal.

  3. 3

    Sāṅkhya philosophy gives understanding of the real truth: how to get out of the material body, the source of trouble. Lord Kapila’s descent is especially meant to teach this knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • That soul is eternal, but the body is not eternal.
  • For our activity we must have a body; without a body, without sense organs, there is no activity.
  • The real truth is knowledge of how to get out of the material body, which is the source of all trouble.

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

Longing and service → Preparedness. Family devotion turns toward higher spiritual fulfillment.

Chapters 20–24 of Canto 3: Kardama, Devahūti, family and renunciation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 24: The Renunciation of Kardama Muni

Kapila appears as Devahūti’s son, the daughters marry, and Kardama renounces family life with the Lord’s permission.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatthis
  2. meMy
  3. janmabirth
  4. lokein the world
  5. asminin this
  6. mumukṣūṇāmby those great sages seeking liberation
  7. durāśayātfrom unnecessary material desires
  8. prasaṅkhyānāyafor explaining
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “philosophy”, “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “material”

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 much of my effort goes toward bodily comfort, and how much toward understanding the eternal soul?

Practice

Spend two minutes rereading this verse, reflecting on the difference between the temporary body and the eternal soul.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Truth Beyond the Temporary BodyThis 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 3.24.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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