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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 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service
3.28.93.28.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.28.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

मनोऽचिरात्स्याद्विरजं जितश्वासस्य योगिन: ।

वाय्वग्निभ्यां यथा लोहं ध्मातं त्यजति वै मलम् ॥ १० ॥

mano ’cirāt syād virajaṁ

jita-śvāsasya yoginaḥ

vāyv-agnibhyāṁ yathā lohaṁ

dhmātaṁ tyajati vai malam

Translation

The yogīs who practice such breathing exercises are very soon freed from all mental disturbances, just as gold, when put into fire and fanned with air, becomes free from all impurities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Holy Name Purifies the Mind

  1. 1

    The verse compares purification of the mind through controlled breathing to purification of gold by fire fanned with air. Both processes remove impurities.

  2. 2

    Lord Caitanya also recommends purification through chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. As one begins chanting, the mind becomes purified.

  3. 3

    Chanting Kṛṣṇa’s holy name cleanses the dirt accumulated in the mind. The purport explains that either the breathing process or the chanting process can purify it.

Key points from the purport
  • This process of purifying the mind is also recommended by Lord Caitanya; He says that one should chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.
  • All glories are given to the chanting of the holy names of Kṛṣṇa because as soon as one begins this process of chanting, the mind becomes purified.
  • One can purify the mind either by the breathing process or by the chanting process, just as one can purify gold by putting it in a fire and fanning it with a bellows.

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 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service

Kapila teaches disciplined yoga and devoted meditation upon the Lord’s eternal form.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.28
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. manaḥthe mind
  2. acirātsoon
  3. syātcan be
  4. virajamfree from disturbances
  5. jita-śvāsasyawhose breathing is controlled
  6. yoginaḥof the yogī
  7. vāyu-agnibhyāmby air and fire
  8. yathājust as
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “purification”, “cleanses”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”

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 give chanting a regular place in my effort to purify the mind?

Practice

Take a brief pause today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa with the intention of cleansing the mind.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Holy Name Purifies the MindThis 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 3.28.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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