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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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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
3.27.63.27.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.7

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

सर्वभूतसमत्वेन निर्वैरेणाप्रसङ्गत: ।

ब्रह्मचर्येण मौनेन स्वधर्मेण बलीयसा ॥ ७ ॥

sarva-bhūta-samatvena

nirvaireṇāprasaṅgataḥ

brahmacaryeṇa maunena

sva-dharmeṇa balīyasā

Translation

In executing devotional service, one has to see every living entity equally, without enmity towards anyone yet without intimate connections with anyone. One has to observe celibacy, be grave and execute his eternal activities, offering the results to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Equal Vision and Dedicated Service

  1. 1

    A devotee sees the soul within each body as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and has no enmity toward anyone. For intimate association, he chooses devotees who support his devotional service.

  2. 2

    A devotee should observe celibacy; the purport also permits marriage under religious principles and satisfaction with one’s wife. Silence means avoiding needless talk, not refraining from speaking enthusiastically about Kṛṣṇa.

  3. 3

    Our eternal occupation is service to the Lord. Whatever a devotee earns, eats or does is offered for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, rather than personal sense gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • A devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead who seriously engages in devotional service is equal to all living entities.
  • Because each and every soul is part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he does not see any difference.
  • A devotee has no enmity towards any living entity, but that does not mean that he mixes with everyone.

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. sarvaall
  2. bhūtaliving entities
  3. samatvenaby seeing equally
  4. nirvaireṇawithout enmity
  5. aprasaṅgataḥwithout intimate connections
  6. brahma-caryeṇaby celibacy
  7. maunenaby silence
  8. sva-dharmeṇaby one’s occupation
  9. balīyasāby offering the result
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 service”, “devotee”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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 combine kindness toward everyone with choices that nourish devotional service?

Practice

Replace one needless conversation today with a few sincere words about Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEqual Vision and Dedicated 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 3.27.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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