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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
3.28.313.28.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.32

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

हासं हरेरवनताखिललोकतीव्र-

शोकाश्रुसागरविशोषणमत्युदारम् ।

सम्मोहनाय रचितं निजमाययास्य

भ्रूमण्डलं मुनिकृते मकरध्वजस्य ॥ ३२ ॥

hāsaṁ harer avanatākhila-loka-tīvra-

śokāśru-sāgara-viśoṣaṇam atyudāram

sammohanāya racitaṁ nija-māyayāsya

bhrū-maṇḍalaṁ muni-kṛte makara-dhvajasya

Translation

A yogī should similarly meditate on the most benevolent smile of Lord Śrī Hari, a smile which, for all those who bow to Him, dries away the ocean of tears caused by intense grief. The yogī should also meditate on the Lord’s arched eyebrows, which are manifested by His internal potency in order to charm the sex-god for the good of the sages.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Smile Relieves Grief and Attraction

  1. 1

    Material existence is filled with grief, described as an ocean of tears. For one who surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His charming smile dries up that ocean.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s fascinating eyebrows cause one to forget the charms of sense attraction. They protect sages and devotees from material lust.

  3. 3

    Freedom from sexual attraction comes through attraction to the Supreme Lord’s beauty. The purport therefore directs attention to His charming smile and eyebrows.

Key points from the purport
  • One need only see the charming smile of the Supreme Lord.
  • In other words, the bereavement of material existence immediately subsides when one sees the charming smile of the Lord.
  • Thus if anyone wants to be aloof from sex attraction, he must see the charming smile and fascinating eyebrows of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.15.27

As stated by Lord Kapila in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.28.32), hāsaṁ harer avanatākhila-loka-tīvra-śokāśru-sāgara-viśoṣaṇam aty-udāram: “The smile and laughter of the Supreme Lord Hari is most magnanimous.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hāsamthe smile
  2. hareḥof Lord Śrī Hari
  3. avanatabowed
  4. akhilaall
  5. lokafor persons
  6. tīvra-śokacaused by intense grief
  7. aśru-sāgarathe ocean of tears
  8. viśoṣaṇamdrying up
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lust”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “surrenders”

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 could I turn my attention from sense attraction toward the Lord’s beauty?

Practice

Take one quiet minute to remember Lord Śrī Hari’s benevolent smile and arched eyebrows as described in this verse.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Smile Relieves Grief and AttractionThis 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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