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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
3.28.433.29.1-2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.44

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

तस्मादिमां स्वां प्रकृतिं दैवीं सदसदात्मिकाम् ।

दुर्विभाव्यां पराभाव्य स्वरूपेणावतिष्ठते ॥ ४४ ॥

tasmād imāṁ svāṁ prakṛtiṁ

daivīṁ sad-asad-ātmikām

durvibhāvyāṁ parābhāvya

svarūpeṇāvatiṣṭhate

Translation

Thus the yogī can be in the self-realized position after conquering the insurmountable spell of māyā, who presents herself as both the cause and effect of this material manifestation and is therefore very difficult to understand.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender Leads to Devotional Perfection

  1. 1

    Māyā covers the living entity’s knowledge and is very difficult to conquer. By surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can overcome her spell through His grace.

  2. 2

    Self-realization means knowing oneself as part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, not as the Supreme Soul Himself. One should remain established in this actual position.

  3. 3

    Self-realization does not end activity; it leads to pure activity in devotional service. Serving the Supreme Lord as His part and parcel is the ultimate perfection of life.

Key points from the purport
  • After Brahman realization, one can engage in the activities of Brahman.
  • When one is situated in his real self, then the activities of Brahman realization begin.
  • Therefore devotional service of the Lord is activity in Brahman realization.

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

The purport of SB 3.28.44 quotesBG 18.54

This is indicated in Bhagavad-gītā (18.54): after one realizes oneself to be Brahman, devotional service begins.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmātthus
  2. imāmthis
  3. svāmown
  4. prakṛtimmaterial energy
  5. daivīmdivine
  6. sat-asat-ātmikāmconsisting of cause and effect
  7. durvibhāvyāmdifficult to understand
  8. parābhāvyaafter conquering
  9. sva-rūpeṇain the self-realized position
  10. avatiṣṭhatehe remains
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: “māyā”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”, “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 I express my position as Kṛṣṇa’s part and parcel through service today?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa asking for His grace to serve Him and overcome false bodily identification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender Leads to Devotional PerfectionThis 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 3.28.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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