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
3.27.113.27.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.12

Mukti· Liberation
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

यथा जलस्थ आभास: स्थलस्थेनावद‍ृश्यते ।

स्वाभासेन तथा सूर्यो जलस्थेन दिवि स्थित: ॥ १२ ॥

yathā jala-stha ābhāsaḥ

sthala-sthenāvadṛśyate

svābhāsena tathā sūryo

jala-sthena divi sthitaḥ

Translation

The presence of the Supreme Lord can be realized just as the sun is realized first as a reflection on water, and again as a second reflection on the wall of a room, although the sun itself is situated in the sky.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Lord Through His Energies

  1. 1

    The sun remains in the sky while its reflection in water illuminates a dark room. Its reflected light reveals its presence even at a distance.

  2. 2

    Similarly, a pure devotee realizes the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s presence everywhere through the reflection of His energy. The Lord remains one without a second.

  3. 3

    Just as heat and light reveal fire, the Lord’s different energies reveal His presence. A liberated soul perceives His presence everywhere.

Key points from the purport
  • The sun is situated in the sky, far, far away from the surface of the earth, but its reflection can be seen in a pot of water in the corner of a room.
  • A pure devotee can realize the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in everything by the reflection of His energy.
  • It is confirmed in the Īśopaniṣad that the presence of the Lord is perceived everywhere by the liberated soul, just as the sunshine and the reflection can be perceived everywhere although the sun is situated far away from the surface of the globe.

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. yathāas
  2. jala-sthaḥsituated on water
  3. ābhāsaḥa reflection
  4. sthala-sthenasituated on the wall
  5. avadṛśyateis perceived
  6. sva-ābhāsenaby its reflection
  7. tathāin that way
  8. sūryaḥthe sun
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

  • 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 the example of sunlight help me understand the Lord’s presence through His energies?

Practice

Observe sunlight or a reflection today, and recall how the Lord’s energies reveal His presence.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Lord Through His EnergiesThis 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 3.27.12? 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