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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 27: Understanding Material Nature
3.27.133.27.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.14

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

भूतसूक्ष्मेन्द्रियमनोबुद्ध्यादिष्विह निद्रया ।

लीनेष्वसति यस्तत्र विनिद्रो निरहंक्रिय: ॥ १४ ॥

bhūta-sūkṣmendriya-mano-

buddhy-ādiṣv iha nidrayā

līneṣv asati yas tatra

vinidro nirahaṅkriyaḥ

Translation

Although a devotee appears to be merged in the five material elements, the objects of material enjoyment, the material senses and material mind and intelligence, he is understood to be awake and to be freed from the false ego.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remain an Individual in Eternal Service

  1. 1

    A devotee may appear absorbed in the material body, senses, mind, and intelligence. Yet one who realizes his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead is awake and free from false ego.

  2. 2

    A green bird entering a green tree appears to merge with its color but does not lose its individuality. Similarly, the living entity retains individuality in either material or spiritual nature.

  3. 3

    Real individuality means being Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servitor, His eternal part and parcel. One who remains in this service is considered liberated even while living in a material body.

Key points from the purport
  • The living entity who has become satya-dṛk, who realizes his position in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, may remain apparently merged in the five elements of matter, the five material sense objects, the ten senses and the mind and intelligence, but still he is considered to be awake and to be freed from the reaction of false ego.
  • Similarly, a living entity merged either in the material nature or in the spiritual nature does not give up his individuality.
  • But even while merged in the twenty-four elements of matter, he can keep his individuality as the eternal servitor of the Lord.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhūtathe material elements
  2. sūkṣmathe objects of enjoyment
  3. indriyathe material senses
  4. manaḥmind
  5. buddhiintelligence
  6. ādiṣuand so on
  7. ihahere
  8. nidrayāby sleep
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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    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

How can I remember my identity as Kṛṣṇa’s servant while carrying out bodily activities?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and remember, “I am an eternal servitor of Kṛṣṇa.”

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemain an Individual in Eternal 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 3.27.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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