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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
3.25.183.25.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.19

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

न युज्यमानया भक्त्या भगवत्यखिलात्मनि ।

सद‍ृशोऽस्ति शिव: पन्था योगिनां ब्रह्मसिद्धये ॥ १९ ॥

na yujyamānayā bhaktyā

bhagavaty akhilātmani

sadṛśo ’sti śivaḥ panthā

yogināṁ brahma-siddhaye

Translation

Perfection in self-realization cannot be attained by any kind of yogī unless he engages in devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, for that is the only auspicious path.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Perfects Self-realization

  1. 1

    Knowledge and renunciation are never perfect unless joined with devotional service. That service must be offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Supersoul of everything.

  2. 2

    Service to Vāsudeva naturally brings spiritual knowledge and renunciation. A devotee does not need to pursue them separately, because devotional service reveals them through the service attitude.

  3. 3

    Perfect realization goes beyond the Lord’s effulgence or His Paramātmā feature to realization of Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bhakti involves both the Lord’s eternal form and the devotee who serves Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Devotional service is to be offered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the Supersoul of everything, for that is the only reliable path of self-realization, or Brahman realization.
  • It is clearly stated here that unless one is fully engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot have easy approach to the path of brahma-siddhi.
  • That perfection in Brahman realization is attained through the auspicious path of devotional service indicates that the so-called Brahman realization, or realization of the brahmajyoti effulgence, is not brahma-siddhi.

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. nanot
  2. yujyamānayābeing performed
  3. bhaktyādevotional service
  4. bhagavatitowards the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. akhila-ātmanithe Supersoul
  6. sadṛśaḥlike
  7. astithere is
  8. śivaḥauspicious
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I treating spiritual knowledge as an end in itself, or using it to deepen my service to the Lord?

Practice

Before studying today, offer a brief prayer that your learning may help you serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

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 todayDevotional Service Perfects Self-realizationOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

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