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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
3.28.63.28.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.7

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

एतैरन्यैश्च पथिभिर्मनो दुष्टमसत्पथम् ।

बुद्ध्या युञ्जीत शनकैर्जितप्राणो ह्यतन्द्रित: ॥ ७ ॥

etair anyaiś ca pathibhir

mano duṣṭam asat-patham

buddhyā yuñjīta śanakair

jita-prāṇo hy atandritaḥ

Translation

By these processes, or any other true process, one must control the contaminated, unbridled mind, which is always attracted by material enjoyment, and thus fix himself in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Direct the Mind Toward Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    The mind is contaminated by attraction to material enjoyment and must be brought under control. The essential aim is concentration on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The general yoga process and other recommended methods can bring this concentration. Fixing the mind on voidness or the impersonal is not the goal.

  3. 3

    The real yogī is the devotee whose mind is always concentrated on Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes. Therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the topmost yoga system.

Key points from the purport
  • The general yoga process entails observing the rules and regulations, practicing the different sitting postures, concentrating the mind on the vital circulation of the air and then thinking of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His Vaikuṇṭha pastimes.
  • The essential point is that the mind, which is contaminated by material attraction, has to be bridled and concentrated on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The real yogī is the devotee because his mind is always concentrated on the pastimes of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

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. etaiḥby these
  2. anyaiḥby other
  3. caand
  4. pathibhiḥprocesses
  5. manaḥthe mind
  6. duṣṭamcontaminated
  7. asat-pathamon the path of material enjoyment
  8. buddhyāby the intelligence
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “contaminated”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

What most often draws my mind away from thoughts of the Supreme Lord?

Practice

When you notice one thought of material enjoyment today, deliberately redirect your attention to Lord Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDirect the Mind Toward KṛṣṇaThis 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 3.28.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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