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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
3.24.423.24.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.24.43

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.24.41inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मनो ब्रह्मणि युञ्जानो यत्तत्सदसत: परम् ।

गुणावभासे विगुण एकभक्त्यानुभाविते ॥ ४३ ॥

mano brahmaṇi yuñjāno

yat tat sad-asataḥ param

guṇāvabhāse viguṇa

eka-bhaktyānubhāvite

Translation

He fixed his mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Parabrahman, who is beyond cause and effect, who manifests the three modes of material nature, who is beyond those three modes, and who is perceived only through unfailing devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Frees Us from Material Influence

  1. 1

    Bhakti requires the devotee, devotion and the Lord: bhakta, bhakti and Bhagavān. Kardama Muni realized the personal feature of the Supreme through devotional service.

  2. 2

    The three modes of material nature arise from the Lord's energy, yet He remains beyond their influence. Unlike the conditioned soul, He is never affected by māyā.

  3. 3

    By remaining in contact with the Supreme Lord through devotional service, the conditioned soul becomes free from material influence. Kṛṣṇa consciousness frees one from the three modes.

Key points from the purport
  • Kardama Muni fixed his mind on the Supreme Brahman and realized Him through bhakti, or devotional service.
  • Guṇāvabhāse: He is beyond the three modes of material nature, but it is due to Him that the three modes of material nature are manifested.
  • In other words, although the material energy is an emanation of the Supreme Lord, He is not affected, as we are, by the modes of material nature.

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. manaḥmind
  2. brahmaṇion the Supreme
  3. yuñjānaḥfixing
  4. yatwhich
  5. tatthat
  6. sat-asataḥcause and effect
  7. parambeyond
  8. guṇa-avabhāsewho manifests the three modes of material nature
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “bhakti”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “māyā”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.24

    In this verse: “free from”

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 approaching devotion as a personal relationship of service to the Lord?

Practice

Spend a few undistracted minutes in devotional service, consciously remembering the Lord whom you are serving.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Frees Us from Material InfluenceThis 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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