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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
3.27.73.27.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.27.8

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

यद‍ृच्छयोपलब्धेन सन्तुष्टो मितभुङ्‍मुनि: ।

विविक्तशरण: शान्तो मैत्र: करुण आत्मवान् ॥ ८ ॥

yadṛcchayopalabdhena

santuṣṭo mita-bhuṅ muniḥ

vivikta-śaraṇaḥ śānto

maitraḥ karuṇa ātmavān

Translation

For his income a devotee should be satisfied with what he earns without great difficulty. He should not eat more than what is necessary. He should live in a secluded place and always be thoughtful, peaceful, friendly, compassionate and self-realized.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Live Simply and Advance in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    A devotee should earn what is necessary and remain satisfied, rather than labor to accumulate the unnecessary. Advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not depend on being rich or poor.

  2. 2

    Eat only what is needed to maintain health, and accept prasāda, food offered to the Personality of Godhead. Be thoughtful about Kṛṣṇa and how to serve Him better.

  3. 3

    Choose surroundings favorable to devotional service, remain peaceful, and be friendly and compassionate. Remember that you are spirit soul, not the body or mind.

Key points from the purport
  • The next item recommended is that a devotee should live in a secluded place.
  • A devotee should be compassionate towards them and instruct them as far as possible in making advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • A devotee should always remain ātmavān, or situated in his spiritual position.

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. yadṛcchayāwithout difficulty
  2. upalabdhenawith what is obtained
  3. santuṣṭaḥsatisfied
  4. mitalittle
  5. bhukeating
  6. muniḥthoughtful
  7. vivikta-śaraṇaḥliving in a secluded place
  8. śāntaḥpeaceful
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: “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “compassionate”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.27

    In this verse: “friendly”

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

What unnecessary pursuit takes time away from my advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today that you might spend pursuing something unnecessary, and use them to think about how to serve Kṛṣṇa better.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLive Simply and Advance in 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.27.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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