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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 28: Kapila’s Instructions on the Execution of Devotional Service
3.28.303.28.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.31

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

तस्यावलोकमधिकं कृपयातिघोर-

तापत्रयोपशमनाय निसृष्टमक्ष्णो: ।

स्‍निग्धस्मितानुगुणितं विपुलप्रसादं

ध्यायेच्चिरं विपुलभावनया गुहायाम् ॥ ३१ ॥

tasyāvalokam adhikaṁ kṛpayātighora-

tāpa-trayopaśamanāya nisṛṣṭam akṣṇoḥ

snigdha-smitānuguṇitaṁ vipula-prasādaṁ

dhyāyec ciraṁ vipula-bhāvanayā guhāyām

Translation

The yogīs should contemplate with full devotion the compassionate glances frequently cast by the Lord’s eyes, for they soothe the most fearful threefold agonies of His devotees. His glances, accompanied by loving smiles, are full of abundant grace.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Compassionate Glance Soothes Distress

  1. 1

    Anxieties and agonies arise naturally in conditioned bodily life. Disturbances may come even to those on the transcendental path.

  2. 2

    The devotees’ anxieties are mitigated when they remember the beautiful form or smiling face of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s smiling face is a great manifestation of His grace. His compassionate glances should be contemplated with full devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • As long as one is in conditional life, in the material body, it is natural that he will suffer from anxieties and agonies.
  • Sometimes disturbances come, but the agonies and anxieties of the devotees are at once mitigated when they think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His beautiful form or the smiling face of the Lord.
  • The Lord bestows innumerable favors upon His devotee, and the greatest manifestation of His grace is His smiling face, which is full of compassion for His pure devotees.

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. tasyaof the Personality of Godhead
  2. avalokamglances
  3. adhikamfrequent
  4. kṛpayāwith compassion
  5. atighoramost fearful
  6. tāpa-trayathreefold agonies
  7. upaśamanāyasoothing
  8. nisṛṣṭamcast
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”, “devotees’”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassionate”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “fearful”

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

When anxiety arises, do I turn my attention toward the Lord’s compassionate face?

Practice

During one anxious moment today, pause and remember the Lord’s loving smile and compassionate glance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Compassionate Glance Soothes DistressThis 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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