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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
3.25.363.25.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.37

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.25.32inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

अथो विभूतिं मम मायाविनस्ता-

मैश्वर्यमष्टाङ्गमनुप्रवृत्तम् ।

श्रियं भागवतीं वास्पृहयन्ति भद्रां

परस्य मे तेऽश्नुवते तु लोके ॥ ३७ ॥

atho vibhūtiṁ mama māyāvinas tām

aiśvaryam aṣṭāṅgam anupravṛttam

śriyaṁ bhāgavatīṁ vāspṛhayanti bhadrāṁ

parasya me te ’śnuvate tu loke

Translation

Thus because he is completely absorbed in thought of Me, the devotee does not desire even the highest benediction obtainable in the upper planetary systems, including Satyaloka. He does not desire the eight material perfections obtained from mystic yoga, nor does he desire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. Yet even without desiring them, the devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Aspire for Service, Not Rewards

  1. 1

    The pleasures of higher planets and the powers obtained through mystic yoga are material opulences. A real devotee does not aspire for them, even when they are available by the Lord’s grace.

  2. 2

    One should not desire material opulence, reputation or beauty, but simply aspire to be absorbed in devotional service. The devotee desires service even if birth and death must continue without end.

  3. 3

    Liberation is already guaranteed for one engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A pure devotee does not even aspire to the eternally peaceful Vaikuṇṭha planets, yet receives the benefits of devotional service even in this life.

Key points from the purport
  • We cannot even imagine the duration of life on the highest planet.
  • Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has taught that one should not desire material opulence or material reputation, nor should one try to enjoy material beauty; one should simply aspire to be absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord, even if one does not get liberation but has to continue the process of birth and death unlimitedly.
  • In the Vaikuṇṭha planets everything is eternally peaceful, yet a pure devotee does not even aspire to be promoted there.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.89.14-17

Yet even without desiring them, My devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. athothen
  2. vibhūtimopulence
  3. mamaof Me
  4. māyāvinaḥof the Lord of māyā
  5. tāmthat
  6. aiśvaryammystic perfection
  7. aṣṭa-aṅgamconsisting of eight parts
  8. anupravṛttamfollowing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “kingdom”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking devotional service itself, or mainly the benefits I hope it will bring?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and resolve to offer it for the Lord’s service rather than for a reward.

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 todayAspire for Service, Not RewardsThis 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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