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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 25: The Glories of Devotional Service
3.25.263.25.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.27

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

असेवयायं प्रकृतेर्गुणानां

ज्ञानेन वैराग्यविजृम्भितेन ।

योगेन मय्यर्पितया च भक्त्या

मां प्रत्यगात्मानमिहावरुन्धे ॥ २७ ॥

asevayāyaṁ prakṛter guṇānāṁ

jñānena vairāgya-vijṛmbhitena

yogena mayy arpitayā ca bhaktyā

māṁ pratyag-ātmānam ihāvarundhe

Translation

Thus by not engaging in the service of the modes of material nature but by developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, knowledge in renunciation, and by practicing yoga, in which the mind is always fixed in devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one achieves My association in this very life, for I am the Supreme Personality, the Absolute Truth.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings the Lord’s Association

  1. 1

    Good engagements in spiritual service help free us from attachment to material service. Hearing, chanting, remembering and other forms of bhakti-yoga engage us beyond sense gratification.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa conscious activities are performed with knowledge and renunciation, not blindly. Fixing the mind in devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead brings His association in this very life.

  3. 3

    Hearing submissively from realized devotees is most important for self-realization. Through such hearing, one can approach the Lord, who is unconquerable by other processes.

Key points from the purport
  • When one engages in the spiritual activities of devotional service, naturally he does not get any opportunity to engage in sense gratificatory activities.
  • This kind of yoga practice, in which the mind is always fixed upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead in devotion, results in liberation in this very life.
  • If one meekly and submissively hears about the activities of the Lord from a realized soul, he will be able to conquer the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is unconquerable by any other process.

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. asevayāby not engaging in the service
  2. ayamthis person
  3. prakṛteḥ guṇānāmof the modes of material nature
  4. jñānenaby knowledge
  5. vairāgyawith renunciation
  6. vijṛmbhitenadeveloped
  7. yogenaby practicing yoga
  8. mayiunto Me
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “absolute truth”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”, “sense gratification”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where could I replace an engagement in sense gratification with devotional service?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing a realized devotee speak about the Lord’s activities, with a humble and attentive mind.

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 Brings the Lord’s AssociationThis 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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