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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.26.293.26.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.26.30

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

संशयोऽथ विपर्यासो निश्चय: स्मृतिरेव च ।

स्वाप इत्युच्यते बुद्धेर्लक्षणं वृत्तित: पृथक् ॥ ३० ॥

saṁśayo ’tha viparyāso

niścayaḥ smṛtir eva ca

svāpa ity ucyate buddher

lakṣaṇaṁ vṛttitaḥ pṛthak

Translation

Doubt, misapprehension, correct apprehension, memory and sleep, as determined by their different functions, are said to be the distinct characteristics of intelligence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Intelligence Discerns Our Spiritual Identity

  1. 1

    Doubt, misapprehension, correct apprehension, memory and sleep are functions of intelligence. Initial questioning helps cultivate intelligence, but doubting knowledge received from the proper authority is unfavorable.

  2. 2

    By analyzing our actual position, we can detect false identification with the body. Correct understanding reveals that we are spirit soul, not the body.

  3. 3

    Sleep is necessary to keep intelligence working properly. Regulating eating, sleeping and other bodily necessities supports success in yoga.

Key points from the purport
  • Doubt is one of the important functions of intelligence; blind acceptance of something does not give evidence of intelligence.
  • Therefore the word saṁśaya is very important; in order to cultivate intelligence, one should be doubtful in the beginning.
  • By intelligence only can one understand whether or not he is the body.

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. saṁśayaḥdoubt
  2. athathen
  3. viparyāsaḥmisapprehension
  4. niścayaḥcorrect apprehension
  5. smṛtiḥmemory
  6. evaalso
  7. caand
  8. svāpaḥsleep
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “spirit soul”, “understanding”

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

How can my questions help me understand my spiritual identity rather than remain in doubt?

Practice

Set a regular bedtime for tonight to support clear, attentive intelligence.

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 todayIntelligence Discerns Our Spiritual IdentityThis 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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