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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
3.25.423.25.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.43

Mukti· Liberation
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

ज्ञानवैराग्ययुक्तेन भक्तियोगेन योगिन: ।

क्षेमाय पादमूलं मे प्रविशन्त्यकुतोभयम् ॥ ४३ ॥

jñāna-vairāgya-yuktena

bhakti-yogena yoginaḥ

kṣemāya pāda-mūlaṁ me

praviśanty akuto-bhayam

Translation

The yogīs, equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet, and since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings Knowledge and Fearlessness

  1. 1

    The first-class yogīs engage in devotional service and constantly think of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They seek release from material entanglement and return to Godhead.

  2. 2

    Transcendental knowledge and renunciation arise as results of bhakti-yoga; they need not be sought separately. The meaning of the scriptures is revealed to one with full faith in the Lord and the spiritual master.

  3. 3

    Entrance into the spiritual kingdom is assured for those surrendered to the Supreme Lord’s lotus feet. These surrendered souls are doubtless and fearless.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Bhāgavatam, First Canto, Second Chapter, it is also confirmed that one who engages in the devotional service of Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, has complete transcendental knowledge and renunciation, and there is no explanation for these attainments.
  • Even if a person is completely illiterate, the transcendental knowledge of the scriptures is revealed unto him simply because of his engagement in devotional service.
  • If there is a lack of knowledge and renunciation, it is to be understood that one is not in full devotional service.

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. jñānawith knowledge
  2. vairāgyaand renunciation
  3. yuktenaequipped
  4. bhakti-yogenaby devotional service
  5. yoginaḥthe yogīs
  6. kṣemāyafor eternal benefit
  7. pāda-mūlamfeet
  8. meMy
  9. praviśantitake shelter of
  10. akutaḥ-bhayamwithout fear
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

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

    In this verse: “shelter”, “surrendered”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “fearless”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I treating knowledge and renunciation as separate achievements, or nurturing them through devotional service?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to think of Kṛṣṇa and seek shelter at His lotus feet.

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 todayDevotional Service Brings Knowledge and FearlessnessThis 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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