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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
3.25.303.25.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.25.31inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

मैत्रेय उवाच

विदित्वार्थं कपिलो मातुरित्थं

जातस्‍नेहो यत्र तन्वाभिजात: ।

तत्त्वाम्नायं यत्प्रवदन्ति सांख्यं

प्रोवाच वै भक्तिवितानयोगम् ॥ ३१ ॥

maitreya uvāca

viditvārthaṁ kapilo mātur itthaṁ

jāta-sneho yatra tanvābhijātaḥ

tattvāmnāyaṁ yat pravadanti sāṅkhyaṁ

provāca vai bhakti-vitāna-yogam

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: After hearing the statement of His mother, Kapila could understand her purpose, and He became compassionate towards her because of being born of her body. He described the Sāṅkhya system of philosophy, which is a combination of devotional service and mystic realization, as received by disciplic succession.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Compassionate Teaching Through Disciplic Succession

  1. 1

    Kapila understood the purpose behind His mother’s request. He became compassionate toward her, having been born of her body.

  2. 2

    He explained the Sāṅkhya system of philosophy as received through disciplic succession.

  3. 3

    This Sāṅkhya teaching combines devotional service and mystic realization. Devotional service is part of the system Kapila teaches.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. viditvāhaving known
  3. arthampurpose
  4. kapilaḥLord Kapila
  5. mātuḥof His mother
  6. itthamthus
  7. jāta-snehaḥbecame compassionate
  8. yatraupon her
3

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: “philosophy”, “understand”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “mother”, “mother’s”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that Kapila teaches with compassion affect my willingness to learn?

Practice

Read the translation once more, noting its connection between devotional service and mystic realization.

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 todayCompassionate Teaching Through Disciplic SuccessionThis 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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