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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
3.25.53.25.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.25.6

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.25.5inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तमासीनमकर्माणं तत्त्वमार्गाग्रदर्शनम् ।

स्वसुतं देवहूत्याह धातु: संस्मरती वच: ॥ ६ ॥

tam āsīnam akarmāṇaṁ

tattva-mārgāgra-darśanam

sva-sutaṁ devahūty āha

dhātuḥ saṁsmaratī vacaḥ

Translation

When Kapila, who could show her the ultimate goal of the Absolute Truth, was sitting leisurely before her, Devahūti remembered the words Brahmā had spoken to her, and she therefore began to question Kapila as follows.

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.

Ask About the Ultimate Spiritual Goal

  1. 1

    Kapila could show Devahūti the ultimate goal of the Absolute Truth.

  2. 2

    Seeing her son sitting leisurely before her, Devahūti remembered the words Brahmā had spoken to her.

  3. 3

    Devahūti took this opportunity to question Kapila. She turned to Him for understanding of the Absolute Truth.

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. tamto Him (Kapila)
  2. āsīnamseated
  3. akarmāṇamat leisure
  4. tattvaof the Absolute Truth
  5. mārga-agrathe ultimate goal
  6. darśanamwho could show
  7. sva-sutamher son
  8. devahūtiḥDevahūti
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: “absolute truth”, “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would I sincerely like to understand about the ultimate spiritual goal?

Practice

Write down one question you hope to understand as you study Kapila’s teachings.

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 todayAsk About the Ultimate Spiritual GoalThis 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 3.25.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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