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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
3.28.13.28.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.2

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

स्वधर्माचरणं शक्त्या विधर्माच्च निवर्तनम् ।

दैवाल्लब्धेन सन्तोष आत्मविच्चरणार्चनम् ॥ २ ॥

sva-dharmācaraṇaṁ śaktyā

vidharmāc ca nivartanam

daivāl labdhena santoṣa

ātmavic-caraṇārcanam

Translation

One should execute his prescribed duties to the best of his ability and avoid performing duties not allotted to him. One should be satisfied with as much gain as he achieves by the grace of the Lord, and one should worship the lotus feet of a spiritual master.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perform Your Duties and Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    Perform your prescribed duties faithfully and to the best of your ability, without taking up another’s duties. Be satisfied with what comes by the Lord’s grace.

  2. 2

    Seek a bona fide spiritual master who is self-realized and knows his relationship with the Supersoul. By surrendering, inquiring and worshiping him, one learns spiritual activities.

  3. 3

    For one elevated beyond bodily designations to spiritual identity, the actual duty is serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the real execution of sva-dharma.

Key points from the purport
  • Sva-dharmācaraṇam means that one must discharge the prescribed duties of his particular division of society faithfully and to the best of his ability.
  • If one is born in a particular society or community, he should perform the prescribed duties for that particular division.
  • As long as one remains in the bodily concept of life, he may act according to the duties of social convention, but if one is elevated to the spiritual platform, he must simply serve the Supreme Lord; that is the real execution of sva-dharma.

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. sva-dharma-ācaraṇamexecuting one’s prescribed duties
  2. śaktyāto the best of one’s ability
  3. vidharmātunauthorized duties
  4. caand
  5. nivartanamavoiding
  6. daivātby the grace of the Lord
  7. labdhenawith what is achieved
  8. santoṣaḥsatisfied
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “worship”, “worshiping”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “duties”, “duty”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “grace”

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 carry out my responsibilities with greater faithfulness and contentment?

Practice

Complete one responsibility today to the best of your ability, without comparing it with someone else’s work.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 1 lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayPerform Your Duties and Serve the LordThis 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 3.28.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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