1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service
3.28.263.28.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.27

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

बाहूंश्च मन्दरगिरे: परिवर्तनेन

निर्णिक्तबाहुवलयानधिलोकपालान् ।

सञ्चिन्तयेद्दशशतारमसह्यतेज:

शङ्खं च तत्करसरोरुहराजहंसम् ॥ २७ ॥

bāhūṁś ca mandara-gireḥ parivartanena

nirṇikta-bāhu-valayān adhiloka-pālān

sañcintayed daśa-śatāram asahya-tejaḥ

śaṅkhaṁ ca tat-kara-saroruha-rāja-haṁsam

Translation

The yogī should further meditate upon the Lord’s four arms, which are the source of all the powers of the demigods who control the various functions of material nature. Then the yogi should concentrate on the polished ornaments, which were burnished by Mount Mandara as it revolved. He should also duly contemplate the Lord’s discus, the Sudarśana cakra, which contains one thousand spokes and a dazzling luster, as well as the conch, which looks like a swan in His lotuslike palm.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Attend to Every Detail of the Lord

  1. 1

    All departments of universal law and order emanate from the arms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The demigods who direct material nature receive their powers from Him.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s arm ornaments are brilliant, having been polished by the turning of Mandara Hill. During the churning of the ocean, the Lord in His tortoise incarnation became the pivot for that hill.

  3. 3

    The Sudarśana cakra has one thousand spokes, and the conch resembles a swan in His lotuslike palm. The yogī is advised to meditate on each spoke and every part of the Lord’s transcendental form.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord in His tortoise incarnation became the pivot for the churning rod, and thus His ornaments were polished by the turning of Mandara Hill.
  • In other words, the ornaments on the arms of the Lord are as brilliant and lustrous as if they had been polished very recently.
  • The yogī is advised to meditate upon each of the spokes.

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. bāhūnthe arms
  2. caand
  3. mandara-gireḥof Mount Mandara
  4. parivartanenaby the revolving
  5. nirṇiktapolished
  6. bāhu-valayānthe arm ornaments
  7. adhiloka-pālānthe source of the controllers of the universe
  8. sañcintayetone should meditate on
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”, “material”

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 careful attention to a single described detail deepen my meditation on the Lord?

Practice

Choose the Lord’s brilliant arm ornaments, discus or conch, and spend a minute attentively recalling its description.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAttend to Every Detail of 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 3.28.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories