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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 25: The Glories of Devotional Service
3.25.153.25.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.16

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.25.13inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

अहंममाभिमानोत्थै: कामलोभादिभिर्मलै: ।

वीतं यदा मन: शुद्धमदु:खमसुखं समम् ॥ १६ ॥

ahaṁ mamābhimānotthaiḥ

kāma-lobhādibhir malaiḥ

vītaṁ yadā manaḥ śuddham

aduḥkham asukhaṁ samam

Translation

When one is completely cleansed of the impurities of lust and greed produced from the false identification of the body as “I” and bodily possessions as “mine,” one’s mind becomes purified. In that pure state he transcends the stage of so-called material happiness and distress.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purify the Mind Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Lust and greed arise from identifying the body as “I” and bodily possessions as “mine.” Freedom from these impurities restores the mind and consciousness to their original state.

  2. 2

    The difference between conditional and liberated life lies in the purification of mind and consciousness. A purified mind rises above material happiness and distress.

  3. 3

    The mind cannot be made vacant; it needs engagement. Bhakti-yoga purifies the mind and senses by engaging them in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • When they are purified, one becomes transcendental to material happiness and distress.
  • How this can be done is explained here: one has to purify his mind and consciousness.
  • If we engage our mind in Kṛṣṇa, naturally the consciousness becomes fully purified, and there is no chance of the entrance of material desire and greed.

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

Entanglement → Insight and liberation. Inquiry matures into instruction in devotion and spiritual nature.

Chapters 25–33 of Canto 3: Kapila instructs Devahūti. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service

Kapila teaches Devahūti the glories of devotional service, association with devotees, and freedom from material attachment.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.25
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ahamI
  2. mamamine
  3. abhimānafrom the misconception
  4. utthaiḥproduced
  5. kāmalust
  6. lobhagreed
  7. ādibhiḥand so on
  8. malaiḥfrom the impurities
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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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “purified”, “cleansed”, “purification”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “lust”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could I engage my mind in Kṛṣṇa instead of feeding a desire to possess more?

Practice

Spend two minutes thinking of Kṛṣṇa as an act of devotional service, gently returning your attention when it wanders.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayPurify the Mind Through Devotional ServiceThis 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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