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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
3.28.43.28.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.5

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

मौनं सदासनजय: स्थैर्यं प्राणजय: शनै: ।

प्रत्याहारश्चेन्द्रियाणां विषयान्मनसा हृदि ॥ ५ ॥

maunaṁ sad-āsana-jayaḥ

sthairyaṁ prāṇa-jayaḥ śanaiḥ

pratyāhāraś cendriyāṇāṁ

viṣayān manasā hṛdi

Translation

One must observe silence, acquire steadiness by practicing different yogic postures, control the breathing of the vital air, withdraw the senses from sense objects and thus concentrate the mind on the heart.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Steadiness Supports Control of the Senses

  1. 1

    Yogic practices, especially haṭha-yoga, are not ends in themselves. They are means of attaining steadiness.

  2. 2

    Learning to sit properly helps steady the mind and attention. Gradual control of the vital air helps withdraw the senses from sense objects.

  3. 3

    Controlling sex life, called brahmacarya, is the most important aspect of sense control. Posture and control of the vital air support restraint from unrestricted sense enjoyment.

Key points from the purport
  • First one must be able to sit properly, and then the mind and attention will become steady enough for practicing yoga.
  • Gradually, one must control the circulation of vital air, and with such control he will be able to withdraw the senses from sense objects.
  • By practicing the different sitting postures and controlling the vital air, one can control and restrain the senses from unrestricted sense enjoyment.

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. maunamsilence
  2. satgood
  3. āsanayogic postures
  4. jayaḥcontrolling
  5. sthairyamsteadiness
  6. prāṇa-jayaḥcontrolling the vital air
  7. śanaiḥgradually
  8. pratyāhāraḥwithdrawal
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

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

Do I treat physical yoga practices as the goal, or as preparation for a steady mind?

Practice

Sit quietly in a steady posture for one minute, setting aside one sensory distraction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySteadiness Supports Control of the SensesThis 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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