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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
3.25.273.25.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.28

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.25.28inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

देवहूतिरुवाच

काचित्त्वय्युचिता भक्ति: कीद‍ृशी मम गोचरा ।

यया पदं ते निर्वाणमञ्जसान्वाश्नवा अहम् ॥ २८ ॥

devahūtir uvāca

kācit tvayy ucitā bhaktiḥ

kīdṛśī mama gocarā

yayā padaṁ te nirvāṇam

añjasānvāśnavā aham

Translation

On hearing this statement of the Lord, Devahūti inquired: What kind of devotional service is worth developing and practicing to help me easily and immediately attain the service of Your lotus feet?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is Open to Everyone

  1. 1

    Devahūti asks which kind of devotional service she can develop and practice to attain service at the Lord’s lotus feet.

  2. 2

    No one is barred from rendering service to the Lord. Whatever one’s social position, devotional service can bring the highest perfection and return one home, back to Godhead.

  3. 3

    The service most suitable for each devotee is determined by the mercy of the spiritual master.

Key points from the purport
  • It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā that no one is barred from rendering service to the Lord.
  • Whether one is a woman or a laborer or a merchant, if he engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord he is promoted to the highest perfectional state and goes back home, back to Godhead.
  • The devotional service most suitable for different types of devotees is determined and fixed by the mercy of the spiritual master.

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. devahūtiḥ uvācaDevahūti said
  2. kācitwhat
  3. tvayiunto You
  4. ucitāproper
  5. bhaktiḥdevotional service
  6. kīdṛśīwhat kind
  7. mamaby me
  8. go-carāfit to be practiced
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”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “inquired”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to seek guidance about devotional service suited to me?

Practice

Write down one question to ask the spiritual master about a devotional service you can practice.

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 Is Open to EveryoneThis 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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