1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.25.383.25.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.25.39-40

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Lordsince 3.25.38inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

इमं लोकं तथैवामुमात्मानमुभयायिनम् ।

आत्मानमनु ये चेह ये राय: पशवो गृहा: ॥ ३९ ॥

विसृज्य सर्वानन्यांश्च मामेवं विश्वतोमुखम् ।

भजन्त्यनन्यया भक्त्या तान्मृत्योरतिपारये ॥ ४० ॥

imaṁ lokaṁ tathaivāmum

ātmānam ubhayāyinam

ātmānam anu ye ceha

ye rāyaḥ paśavo gṛhāḥ

visṛjya sarvān anyāṁś ca

mām evaṁ viśvato-mukham

bhajanty ananyayā bhaktyā

tān mṛtyor atipāraye

Translation

Thus the devotee who worships Me, the all-pervading Lord of the universe, in unflinching devotional service, gives up all aspirations to be promoted to heavenly planets or to become happy in this world with wealth, children, cattle, home or anything in relationship with the body. I take him to the other side of birth and death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unflinching Service Beyond Birth and Death

  1. 1

    Unflinching devotional service means full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, accepting the Supreme Lord as all in all. The devotee gives up aspirations for heavenly promotion or material prosperity.

  2. 2

    A devotee is satisfied with whatever comes by God’s grace. He remains dutiful, not neglectful, but does not spend excessive time improving temporary household or social life.

  3. 3

    The pure devotee prays not to forget the Lord’s service, rather than asking for liberation. By His special mercy, the Supreme Personality of Godhead takes His devotee beyond birth and death.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord promises herein that He takes His devotee to the other side of birth and death.
  • He prays to the Lord, “My dear Lord, it does not matter where I am born, but let me be born, even as an ant, in the house of a devotee.”
  • A pure devotee does not pray to the Lord for liberation from this material bondage.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. imamthis
  2. lokamworld
  3. tathāaccordingly
  4. evacertainly
  5. amumthat world
  6. ātmānamthe subtle body
  7. ubhayain both
  8. ayinamtraveling
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: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worships”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “household”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “death”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking material improvement from the Lord, or the opportunity to serve Him without forgetting Him?

Practice

Today, offer a brief prayer asking to remember the Lord’s service, rather than asking for a material gain.

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 · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayUnflinching Service Beyond Birth and DeathThis 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.25.39-40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories