1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service
3.25.253.25.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.26

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

भक्त्या पुमाञ्जातविराग ऐन्द्रियाद्

द‍ृष्टश्रुतान्मद्रचनानुचिन्तया ।

चित्तस्य यत्तो ग्रहणे योगयुक्तो

यतिष्यते ऋजुभिर्योगमार्गै: ॥ २६ ॥

bhaktyā pumāñ jāta-virāga aindriyād

dṛṣṭa-śrutān mad-racanānucintayā

cittasya yatto grahaṇe yoga-yukto

yatiṣyate ṛjubhir yoga-mārgaiḥ

Translation

Thus consciously engaged in devotional service in the association of devotees, a person gains distaste for sense gratification, both in this world and in the next, by constantly thinking about the activities of the Lord. This process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the easiest process of mystic power; when one is actually situated on that path of devotional service, he is able to control the mind.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Makes Mind Control Easier

  1. 1

    In devotees' association, a sincere devotee hears and contemplates the Lord's creation, maintenance, dissolution, and spiritual pastimes. This develops distaste for temporary sense enjoyment in this world or the next.

  2. 2

    Devotees seek the Lord's personal association rather than temporary happiness, even in heaven. Their interest turns toward spiritual understanding and the spiritual situation.

  3. 3

    Devotional service, or bhakti-yoga, is the easiest process of attaining yoga perfection, and its result is sublime. Through Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one can control the mind and reach the highest perfection of life.

Key points from the purport
  • But a devotee in the association of devotees prefers to contemplate the activities of the Lord — how He has created this universe, how He is maintaining it, how the creation dissolves, and how in the spiritual kingdom the Lord’s pastimes are going on.
  • The sincere devotee who associates with devotees gets the opportunity to hear and contemplate this subject of the pastimes of the Lord, and the result is that he feels distaste for so-called happiness in this or that world, in heaven or on other planets.
  • Everyone should therefore try to take this process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and reach the highest perfection of life.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhaktyāby devotional service
  2. pumāna person
  3. jāta-virāgaḥhaving developed distaste
  4. aindriyātfor sense gratification
  5. dṛṣṭaseen (in this world)
  6. śrutātheard (in the next world)
  7. mat-racanaMy activities of creation and so on
  8. anucintayāby constantly thinking about
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”, “devotees”, “devotees'”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I more attracted to temporary enjoyment or to developing my personal relationship of service to the Lord?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing or reading about the Lord’s activities in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, gently returning your attention whenever it wanders.

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 · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayDevotional Service Makes Mind Control EasierThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.25.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories