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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
3.27.233.27.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.24

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 3.27.21inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

भुक्तभोगा परित्यक्ता द‍ृष्टदोषा च नित्यश: ।

नेश्वरस्याशुभं धत्ते स्वे महिम्नि स्थितस्य च ॥ २४ ॥

bhukta-bhogā parityaktā

dṛṣṭa-doṣā ca nityaśaḥ

neśvarasyāśubhaṁ dhatte

sve mahimni sthitasya ca

Translation

By discovering the faultiness of his desiring to lord it over material nature and by therefore giving it up, the living entity becomes independent and stands in his own glory.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Independence Through Loving Service

  1. 1

    The living entity is not the actual enjoyer of material resources. His attempt to lord it over material nature ends in frustration.

  2. 2

    Being the Lord’s eternal servant is not like servitude in the material world. Reviving this original nature frees the living entity from dependence on the three modes of material nature.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the supreme independent Lord; the living entity finds independence in His service. A devotee gives up the mentality of enjoying and finds transcendental pleasure in loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • Because the living entity is not actually the enjoyer of the material resources, his attempt to lord it over material nature is, at the ultimate issue, frustrated.
  • If one can understand this and can thus revive one’s original nature of eternal servitorship of the Lord, one stands fully independent.
  • The living entity is īśvara only when engaged in the service 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. bhuktaenjoyed
  2. bhogāenjoyment
  3. parityaktāgiven up
  4. dṛṣṭadiscovered
  5. doṣāfaultiness
  6. caand
  7. nityaśaḥalways
  8. nanot
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • 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

Where do I seek independence through control rather than through loving service to the Lord?

Practice

Notice one desire to control things for your own enjoyment today, and instead choose one small act of service to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Independence Through Loving 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 3.27.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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