1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 27: Understanding Material Nature
3.27.103.27.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.11

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.27.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

मुक्तलिङ्गं सदाभासमसति प्रतिपद्यते ।

सतो बन्धुमसच्चक्षु: सर्वानुस्यूतमद्वयम् ॥ ११ ॥

mukta-liṅgaṁ sad-ābhāsam

asati pratipadyate

sato bandhum asac-cakṣuḥ

sarvānusyūtam advayam

Translation

A liberated soul realizes the Absolute Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental and who is manifest as a reflection even in the false ego. He is the support of the material cause and He enters into everything. He is absolute, one without a second, and He is the eyes of the illusory energy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is Present Yet Undivided

  1. 1

    A pure devotee realizes the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s presence in material manifestations as a reflection. In the darkness of material illusion, the Supreme Lord is the only light and support.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa is the background of the material manifestation and the cause of all causes. Through His partial or plenary expansion, He is present within every universe and every atom.

  3. 3

    The Lord is advayam, without a second. Although represented everywhere, He is not divided.

Key points from the purport
  • A pure devotee can see the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in everything materially manifested.
  • He is present there only as a reflection, but a pure devotee can realize that in the darkness of material illusion the only light is the Supreme Lord, who is its support.
  • The word advayam, “without a second,” which is used in this verse, indicates that although the Supreme Personality of Godhead is represented in everything, including the atoms, He is not divided.

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 27: Understanding Material Nature

Kapila explains how hearing, chanting, knowledge, and devotional service free the soul from material nature.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.27
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mukta-liṅgamtranscendental
  2. sat-ābhāsammanifest as a reflection
  3. asatiin the false ego
  4. pratipadyatehe realizes
  5. sataḥ bandhumthe support of the material cause
  6. asat-cakṣuḥthe eye (revealer) of the illusory energy
  7. sarva-anusyūtamentered into everything
  8. advayamwithout a second
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “material”, “illusion”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “false ego”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 does knowing that Kṛṣṇa supports everything change the way I view my surroundings?

Practice

Pause once today to look around and remember that Kṛṣṇa supports the material manifestation while remaining undivided.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is Present Yet UndividedThis 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 3.27.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories