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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
3.28.283.28.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.29

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

भृत्यानुकम्पितधियेह गृहीतमूर्ते:

सञ्चिन्तयेद्भगवतो वदनारविन्दम् ।

यद्विस्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलवल्गितेन

विद्योतितामलकपोलमुदारनासम् ॥ २९ ॥

bhṛtyānukampita-dhiyeha gṛhīta-mūrteḥ

sañcintayed bhagavato vadanāravindam

yad visphuran-makara-kuṇḍala-valgitena

vidyotitāmala-kapolam udāra-nāsam

Translation

The yogī should then meditate on the lotuslike countenance of the Lord, who presents His different forms in this world out of compassion for the anxious devotees. His nose is prominent, and His crystal-clear cheeks are illuminated by the oscillation of His glittering alligator-shaped earrings.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Appears Out of Compassion

  1. 1

    The Lord descends mainly to give solace to His devotees. He does not need to come personally to destroy demons, since His energies can do this.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s innumerable forms are one Absolute. He appears in the particular form loved by His devotees.

  3. 3

    The yogī should meditate on the Lord’s lotuslike face, with His prominent nose and glittering earrings. This must be a form experienced by pure devotees, not a manufactured form.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord descends to the material world out of His deep compassion for His devotees.
  • A yogī is advised to meditate upon the forms that are approved by devotees.
  • It is especially mentioned here that the yogī should meditate upon the form which is thus approved; he cannot manufacture a form of the Lord.

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. bhṛtyafor the devotees
  2. anukampita-dhiyāout of compassion
  3. ihain this world
  4. gṛhīta-mūrteḥwho presents different forms
  5. sañcintayetone should meditate on
  6. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
  7. vadanacountenance
  8. aravindamlotuslike
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “compassion”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “loved”

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 does knowing that the Lord appears out of compassion affect my meditation on Him?

Practice

Spend one minute remembering the Lord’s face as described here, keeping His compassion for His devotees in mind.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.28's connections

Live this todayThe Lord Appears Out of CompassionThis 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 3.28.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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