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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
3.27.243.27.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.25

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

यथा ह्यप्रतिबुद्धस्य प्रस्वापो बह्वनर्थभृत् ।

स एव प्रतिबुद्धस्य न वै मोहाय कल्पते ॥ २५ ॥

yathā hy apratibuddhasya

prasvāpo bahv-anartha-bhṛt

sa eva pratibuddhasya

na vai mohāya kalpate

Translation

In the dreaming state one’s consciousness is almost covered, and one sees many inauspicious things, but when he is awakened and fully conscious, such inauspicious things cannot bewilder him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Awaken to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    A disturbing dream loses its power to bewilder us when we awaken. Similarly, understanding our real relationship with the Supreme Lord brings satisfaction beyond the disturbances of material nature.

  2. 2

    In contaminated consciousness, one sees everything as meant for one’s own enjoyment. In pure consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one sees everything as meant for the supreme enjoyer.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the only absolute enjoyer, the proprietor of all three worlds, and everyone’s friend. Understanding this brings peace and independence; truly benefiting others means awakening their dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • In the condition of dreaming, when one’s consciousness is almost covered, one may see many unfavorable things which cause disturbance or anxiety, but upon awakening, although he remembers what happened in the dream, he is not disturbed.
  • The state of contaminated consciousness is compared to dream consciousness, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness is compared to the awakened stage of life.
  • The Kṛṣṇa conscious position is that of pratibuddha, which means “pure consciousness.”

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. yathāas
  2. hiindeed
  3. apratibuddhasyaof one who is sleeping
  4. prasvāpaḥthe dream
  5. bahu-anartha-bhṛtbearing many inauspicious things
  6. saḥ evathat very dream
  7. pratibuddhasyaof one who is awake
  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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “contaminated”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 might remembering that Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s friend change my outlook today?

Practice

Pause for one minute today to remember that Kṛṣṇa is the enjoyer, proprietor, and friend of everyone.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAwaken to Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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.

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