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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.19
अकर्तु: कर्मबन्धोऽयं पुरुषस्य यदाश्रय: ।
गुणेषु सत्सु प्रकृते: कैवल्यं तेष्वत: कथम् ॥ १९ ॥
akartuḥ karma-bandho ’yaṁ
puruṣasya yad-āśrayaḥ
guṇeṣu satsu prakṛteḥ
kaivalyaṁ teṣv ataḥ katham
Hence even though he is the passive performer of all activities, how can there be freedom for the soul as long as material nature acts on him and binds him?
Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.ioThree study points drawn from the translation and purport.
Under the modes of material nature, the living entity’s activities are influenced by their qualities. He falsely thinks he acts independently, although he is under their control.
Speculation or meditation that claims “I am the Supreme” does not remove material bondage. The question is whether one is actually free from the modes, not merely claiming freedom.
Only surrender to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, frees one from the clutches of māyā. Devahūti’s intelligent questions gradually lead toward this surrender.
Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.
The purport of SB 3.27.19 quotesBG 7.14
The answer is also found in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14): only one who has surrendered himself unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa (mām eva ye prapadyante) can be freed from the clutches of māyā.
Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.
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
Kapila explains how hearing, chanting, knowledge, and devotional service free the soul from material nature.
Back to this verse in chapter 3.27Learn the Sanskrit words of the 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
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.27
In this verse: “material”, “māyā”
Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment
Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.27
In this verse: “free from”
Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender
Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.27
In this verse: “surrender”
Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.
Take one thing from this verse into your day.
Where do I mistake a feeling of independence for actual freedom from material influence?
Take a quiet moment to ask Kṛṣṇa for help in surrendering, rather than claiming to be independent.
The story this chapter belongs to.
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 3.27.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.