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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
3.25.293.25.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.30

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

तदेतन्मे विजानीहि यथाहं मन्दधीर्हरे ।

सुखं बुद्ध्येय दुर्बोधं योषा भवदनुग्रहात् ॥ ३० ॥

tad etan me vijānīhi

yathāhaṁ manda-dhīr hare

sukhaṁ buddhyeya durbodhaṁ

yoṣā bhavad-anugrahāt

Translation

My dear son, Kapila, after all, I am a woman. It is very difficult for me to understand the Absolute Truth because my intelligence is not very great. But if You will kindly explain it to me, even though I am not very intelligent, I can understand it and thereby feel transcendental happiness.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding Comes Through Spiritual Mercy

  1. 1

    Devahūti humbly asks Kapila to explain the Absolute Truth so that she can understand and experience transcendental happiness.

  2. 2

    The Absolute Truth is difficult for ordinary people to understand. Yet by the spiritual master’s divine grace, understanding can be revealed even to a disciple with limited intelligence.

  3. 3

    By the mercy of the spiritual master, the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is revealed. Devahūti places her hope in Kapiladeva’s grace.

Key points from the purport
  • Knowledge of the Absolute Truth is not very easily understood by ordinary, less intelligent men; but if the spiritual master is kind enough to the disciple, however unintelligent the disciple may be, then by the divine grace of the spiritual master everything is revealed.
  • Devahūti requested her great son to be merciful towards her because she was a less intelligent woman and also His mother.
  • By the grace of Kapiladeva it was quite possible for her to understand the Absolute Truth, even though the subject matter is very difficult for ordinary persons, especially women.

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. tat etatthat same
  2. meto me
  3. vijānīhiplease explain
  4. yathāso that
  5. ahamI
  6. mandaslow
  7. dhīḥwhose intelligence
  8. hareO my Lord
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “kindly”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “mercy”, “grace”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When spiritual teachings seem difficult, can I ask for help with humility rather than become discouraged?

Practice

Reread one sentence of this teaching slowly, praying for the mercy to understand it.

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 todayUnderstanding Comes Through Spiritual MercyThis 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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