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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
3.25.233.25.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.24

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

त एते साधव: साध्वि सर्वसङ्गविवर्जिता: ।

सङ्गस्तेष्वथ ते प्रार्थ्य: सङ्गदोषहरा हि ते ॥ २४ ॥

ta ete sādhavaḥ sādhvi

sarva-saṅga-vivarjitāḥ

saṅgas teṣv atha te prārthyaḥ

saṅga-doṣa-harā hi te

Translation

O My mother, O virtuous lady, these are the qualities of great devotees who are free from all attachment. You must seek attachment to such holy men, for this counteracts the pernicious effects of material attachment.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotee Association Loosens Material Attachment

  1. 1

    To become free from material attachment, we should increase our attachment to devotees who are free from it. Their association counteracts the harmful effects of material attachment.

  2. 2

    Pride in material possessions and identities such as rich or poor rests on the temporary body. Freedom from material entanglement requires freedom from the influence of the three modes of nature.

  3. 3

    We should seek association where Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service are cultivated. The words and instructions of such devotees help us cut our attachment to material existence.

Key points from the purport
  • It is advised, jita-saṅga-doṣāḥ: one should be freed from the contaminated association of the three modes of material nature.
  • One can thereby become freed from all material association.
  • Because a devotee is freed from all contaminated material association, he is not affected by the miseries of material existence.

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. te etethose very
  2. sādhavaḥdevotees
  3. sādhvivirtuous lady
  4. sarvaall
  5. saṅgaattachments
  6. vivarjitāḥfreed from
  7. saṅgaḥattachment
  8. teṣuunto them
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “free from”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which material possession or status do I rely on for my sense of importance?

Practice

Spend a few minutes hearing a devotee’s instructions on freedom from material attachment, and note one instruction to follow.

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 todayDevotee Association Loosens Material AttachmentThis 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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