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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 26: Fundamental Principles of Material Nature
3.26.133.26.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.14

Sarga· Creation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 3.26.10inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

मनो बुद्धिरहङ्कारश्चित्तमित्यन्तरात्मकम् ।

चतुर्धा लक्ष्यते भेदो वृत्त्या लक्षणरूपया ॥ १४ ॥

mano buddhir ahaṅkāraś

cittam ity antar-ātmakam

caturdhā lakṣyate bhedo

vṛttyā lakṣaṇa-rūpayā

Translation

The internal, subtle senses are experienced as having four aspects, in the shape of mind, intelligence, ego and contaminated consciousness. Distinctions between them can be made only by different functions, since they represent different characteristics.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Consciousness Belongs to the Soul

  1. 1

    The internal, subtle senses have four aspects: mind, intelligence, ego and contaminated consciousness. They are distinguished by their functions and characteristics.

  2. 2

    When consciousness is materially polluted and identification with the body becomes prominent, one is situated under false ego.

  3. 3

    Consciousness is the function of the soul, so behind consciousness there is soul. Consciousness polluted by material contamination is called ahaṅkāra.

Key points from the purport
  • The four internal senses, or subtle senses, described herein are defined by different characteristics.
  • Consciousness is the function of the soul, and therefore behind consciousness there is soul.
  • Consciousness polluted by material contamination is called ahaṅkāra.

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. manaḥthe mind
  2. buddhiḥintelligence
  3. ahaṅkāraḥego
  4. cittamconsciousness
  5. itithus
  6. antaḥ-ātmakamthe internal, subtle senses
  7. catuḥ-dhāhaving four aspects
  8. lakṣyateis observed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sarga · The creation of the universe

    Where does the universe come from? · Subject 1 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “contaminated”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materially”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.26

    In this verse: “false ego”

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

When do I most strongly identify myself with my body?

Practice

When a bodily concern arises today, pause and recall that consciousness belongs to the soul, while bodily identification marks false ego.

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 todayConsciousness Belongs to the SoulThis 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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