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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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.25.443.26.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.1

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.26.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

श्रीभगवानुवाच

अथ ते सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि तत्त्वानां लक्षणं पृथक् ।

यद्विदित्वा विमुच्येत पुरुष: प्राकृतैर्गुणै: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

atha te sampravakṣyāmi

tattvānāṁ lakṣaṇaṁ pṛthak

yad viditvā vimucyeta

puruṣaḥ prākṛtair guṇaiḥ

Translation

The Personality of Godhead, Kapila, continued: My dear mother, now I shall describe unto you the different categories of the Absolute Truth, knowing which any person can be released from the influence of the modes of material nature.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understanding Kṛṣṇa Through Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can be understood only through devotional service. Understanding Him includes His personal form, His energies, His expansions and His incarnations.

  2. 2

    Sāṅkhya philosophy, received through disciplic succession, is the analytical study of devotional service. Understanding this science frees the eternal self from the modes of material nature.

  3. 3

    Even a slight desire to enjoy or lord it over material nature keeps one under its influence. Understanding the Lord makes one eligible to enter the kingdom of God.

Key points from the purport
  • Now the analytical study of devotional service will be explained by the Lord, who says that by such an analytical study, one becomes freed from the modes of material nature.
  • By understanding the science of devotional service in Sāṅkhya philosophy, one can become free from the modes of material nature.
  • Therefore, one has to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead analytically, as explained in the Sāṅkhya system of philosophy by Lord Kapiladeva.

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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature

Kapila explains material nature, consciousness, time, the elements, and the manifestation of the universal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.26
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-bhagavān uvācathe Personality of Godhead said
  2. athanow
  3. teto you
  4. sampravakṣyāmiI shall describe
  5. tattvānāmof the categories of the Absolute Truth
  6. lakṣaṇamthe distinctive features
  7. pṛthakone by one
  8. yatwhich
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “philosophy”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “mother”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where do I notice a desire to control or enjoy material nature rather than serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Reread one passage from this purport today with the intention of understanding Kṛṣṇa for devotional service.

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 todayUnderstanding Kṛṣṇa Through Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.26.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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