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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
3.25.413.25.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.42

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

मद्भयाद्वाति वातोऽयं सूर्यस्तपति मद्भयात् ।

वर्षतीन्द्रो दहत्यग्निर्मृत्युश्चरति मद्भयात् ॥ ४२ ॥

mad-bhayād vāti vāto ’yaṁ

sūryas tapati mad-bhayāt

varṣatīndro dahaty agnir

mṛtyuś carati mad-bhayāt

Translation

It is because of My supremacy that the wind blows, out of fear of Me; the sun shines out of fear of Me, and the lord of the clouds, Indra, sends forth showers out of fear of Me. Fire burns out of fear of Me, and death goes about taking its toll out of fear of Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nature Works Under Kṛṣṇa’s Direction

  1. 1

    Nature does not work automatically, without supervision. Its laws operate punctually and regularly under Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The demigods are living entities appointed as departmental heads because of their faithful service attitude. The wind, sun, rain, fire and death all act under the Supreme Lord’s direction.

  3. 3

    One who takes shelter of the Supreme Lord is protected from all other influences. Such a devotee is not disobedient to others, but absorbs his full power of thought in the Lord’s service.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, says in Bhagavad-gītā that the natural laws being enacted are correct in all activities because of His superintendence.
  • But above all these demigods, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the chief living entity.
  • The statements by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kapila that under His direction the air is blowing, the fire is burning and the sun is giving heat are not sentimental.

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 10.56.27

As Lord Kapila states in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.25.42): mṛtyuś carati mad-bhayāt.

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. mat-bhayātout of fear of Me
  2. vātiblows
  3. vātaḥwind
  4. ayamthis
  5. sūryaḥthe sun
  6. tapatishines
  7. mat-bhayātout of fear of Me
  8. varṣatishowers rain
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.25

    In this verse: “shelter”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might remembering the Lord’s direction behind nature deepen my trust in His shelter?

Practice

When you notice sunlight or wind today, pause to remember Kṛṣṇa’s supervision and turn your thoughts toward serving Him.

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 todayNature Works Under Kṛṣṇa’s DirectionThis 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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