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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
3.24.393.24.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.40

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

मात्र आध्यात्मिकीं विद्यां शमनीं सर्वकर्मणाम् ।

वितरिष्ये यया चासौ भयं चातितरिष्यति ॥ ४० ॥

mātra ādhyātmikīṁ vidyāṁ

śamanīṁ sarva-karmaṇām

vitariṣye yayā cāsau

bhayaṁ cātitariṣyati

Translation

I shall also describe this sublime knowledge, which is the door to spiritual life, to My mother, so that she also can attain perfection and self-realization, ending all reactions to fruitive activities. Thus she also will be freed from all material fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Instruction Brings Freedom

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni was anxious about Devahūti as he prepared to leave home. His son assured him that she too would be freed from material entanglement through His instruction.

  2. 2

    The purport distinguishes retired life, vānaprastha, from renounced life, sannyāsa. Kardama Muni followed the discipline of sannyāsa rather than taking his wife with him.

  3. 3

    Kapila Muni acted as the ideal son by assuring His father of His mother's deliverance. His spiritual knowledge would end her reactions to fruitive activities and free her from material fear.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni was anxious about his good wife, Devahūti, while leaving home, and so the worthy son promised that not only would Kardama Muni be freed from the material entanglement, but Devahūti would also be freed by receiving instruction from her son.
  • Otherwise, if it were sanctioned, Kardama Muni could have taken his wife and given her sannyāsa.
  • The ideal son, Kapila Muni, is assuring His father of the deliverance of His mother so that His father may go peacefully without anxiety for his good wife.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mātreto My mother
  2. ādhyātmikīmwhich opens the door of spiritual life
  3. vidyāmknowledge
  4. śamanīmending
  5. sarva-karmaṇāmall fruitive activities
  6. vitariṣyeI shall give
  7. yayāby which
  8. caalso
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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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “mother”, “mother's”, “father”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “fear”

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 attention do I give to the spiritual well-being of those close to me?

Practice

Read the Lord's promise in this translation aloud, reflecting on the value of receiving spiritual instruction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Instruction Brings FreedomThis 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.

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