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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
3.28.113.28.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.12

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

यदा मन: स्वं विरजं योगेन सुसमाहितम् ।

काष्ठां भगवतो ध्यायेत्स्वनासाग्रावलोकन: ॥ १२ ॥

yadā manaḥ svaṁ virajaṁ

yogena susamāhitam

kāṣṭhāṁ bhagavato dhyāyet

sva-nāsāgrāvalokanaḥ

Translation

When the mind is perfectly purified by this practice of yoga, one should concentrate on the tip of the nose with half-closed eyes and see the form of 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.

Meditate on the Personal Supersoul

  1. 1

    When the mind is purified and controlled by yoga, one should meditate on the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The verse describes half-closed eyes directed toward the tip of the nose.

  2. 2

    The object of meditation is Paramātmā, the Supersoul, an expansion of Viṣṇu. Meditation is directed toward this personal form.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Godhead, and His first expansion is Baladeva. From Baladeva come Saṅkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha and many other forms.

Key points from the purport
  • It is clearly mentioned here that one has to meditate upon the expansion of Viṣṇu.
  • Bhagavataḥ refers to Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In this verse it is clearly stated that one must meditate by fixing the vision on the tip of the nose and concentrating one’s mind on the kalā, or the plenary expansion, of Viṣṇu.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. manaḥthe mind
  3. svamown
  4. virajampurified
  5. yogenaby yoga practice
  6. su-samāhitamcontrolled
  7. kāṣṭhāmthe plenary expansion
  8. bhagavataḥof the Supreme Personality of Godhead
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 3.28

    In this verse: “purified”

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

Do I understand meditation here as attention to a personal Lord?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, remembering that the object of meditation is the personal Supersoul.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeditate on the Personal SupersoulThis 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 3.28.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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