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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
3.28.233.28.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.24

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

ऊरू सुपर्णभुजयोरधिशोभमानाव्-

ओजोनिधी अतसिकाकुसुमावभासौ ।

व्यालम्बिपीतवरवाससि वर्तमान

काञ्चीकलापपरिरम्भि नितम्बबिम्बम् ॥ २४ ॥

ūrū suparṇa-bhujayor adhi śobhamānāv

ojo-nidhī atasikā-kusumāvabhāsau

vyālambi-pīta-vara-vāsasi vartamāna-

kāñcī-kalāpa-parirambhi nitamba-bimbam

Translation

Next, the yogi should fix his mind in meditation on the Personality of Godhead’s thighs, the storehouse of all energy. The Lord’s thighs are whitish blue, like the luster of the linseed flower, and appear most graceful when the Lord is carried on the shoulders of Garuḍa. Also the yogī should contemplate His rounded hips, which are encircled by a girdle that rests on the exquisite yellow silk cloth that extends down to His ankles.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Meditate Gradually on the Lord’s Transcendental Form

  1. 1

    The Personality of Godhead is the reservoir of all strength, which rests on His transcendental thighs. His whole body is full of riches, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation.

  2. 2

    Meditation begins at the Lord’s soles and gradually rises to His knees, thighs and finally His face. Here the mind rests on His whitish-blue thighs and rounded hips.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s described form is exactly represented in the arcā-vigraha, His form in the temple. His yellow silk extends to His ankles, giving the meditator a definite spiritual form rather than something imaginary.

Key points from the purport
  • The Personality of Godhead is the reservoir of all strength, and His strength rests on the thighs of His transcendental body.
  • The yogī is advised to meditate upon the transcendental form of the Lord, beginning from the soles of the feet and then gradually rising to the knees, to the thighs, and finally arriving at the face.
  • Thus, since the yogī has so many transcendental objectives on which to meditate, there is no reason for his meditating on something imaginary, as is the practice of the so-called yogīs whose objective is impersonal.

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. ūrūthe two thighs
  2. suparṇaof Garuḍa
  3. bhujayoḥthe two shoulders
  4. adhion
  5. śobhamānaubeautiful
  6. ojaḥ-nidhīthe storehouse of all energy
  7. atasikā-kusumaof the linseed flower
  8. avabhāsaulike the luster
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “luster”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “graceful”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 might following this gradual order help steady my attention on the Lord?

Practice

Follow the described sequence from the Lord’s feet to His knees and thighs, then recall His yellow silk reaching His ankles.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeditate Gradually on the Lord’s Transcendental FormThis 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.

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