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
3.27.28-293.28.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.30

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

यदा न योगोपचितासु चेतो

मायासु सिद्धस्य विषज्जतेऽङ्ग ।

अनन्यहेतुष्वथ मे गति: स्याद्

आत्यन्तिकी यत्र न मृत्युहास: ॥ ३० ॥

yadā na yogopacitāsu ceto

māyāsu siddhasya viṣajjate ’ṅga

ananya-hetuṣv atha me gatiḥ syād

ātyantikī yatra na mṛtyu-hāsaḥ

Translation

When a perfect yogī’s attention is no longer attracted to the by-products of mystic powers, which are manifestations of the external energy, his progress towards Me becomes unlimited, and thus the power of death cannot overcome him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Choose Devotion Over Mystic Power

  1. 1

    Mystic yogic powers are products of material energy. However extraordinary they may seem, they have nothing to do with spiritual progress.

  2. 2

    A perfect yogī’s mind is not attracted by material power but by unalloyed service to the Supreme Lord. A devotee concentrates only on the Lord’s eternal loving service.

  3. 3

    When attraction to mystic powers ends, progress toward the Lord becomes unlimited. In this devotional state, the power of death cannot overcome the devotee, who attains immortal knowledge and bliss.

Key points from the purport
  • Yogīs are generally attracted to the by-products of mystic yogic power, for they can become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest, achieve anything they desire, have power even to create a planet, or bring anyone they like under their subjection.
  • Yogīs who have incomplete information of the result of devotional service are attracted by these powers, but these powers are material; they have nothing to do with spiritual progress.
  • A perfect yogī’s mind is not attracted by any material power, but is simply attracted by unalloyed service to the Supreme 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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. nanot
  3. yoga-upacitāsuto powers developed by yoga
  4. cetaḥthe attention
  5. māyāsumanifestations of māyā
  6. siddhasyaof a perfect yogī
  7. viṣajjateis attracted
  8. aṅgaMy dear mother
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: “devotional”, “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “death”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Is my attention drawn more to extraordinary powers or to the Lord’s eternal loving service?

Practice

Use a few minutes today for loving service to the Lord, deliberately setting aside any wish for power or extraordinary abilities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChoose Devotion Over Mystic PowerThis 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 3.27.30? 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