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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
3.28.83.28.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.28.9

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

प्राणस्य शोधयेन्मार्गं पूरकुम्भकरेचकै: ।

प्रतिकूलेन वा चित्तं यथा स्थिरमचञ्चलम् ॥ ९ ॥

prāṇasya śodhayen mārgaṁ

pūra-kumbhaka-recakaiḥ

pratikūlena vā cittaṁ

yathā sthiram acañcalam

Translation

The yogī should clear the passage of vital air by breathing in the following manner: first he should inhale very deeply, then hold the breath in, and finally exhale. Or, reversing the process, the yogi can first exhale, then hold the breath outside, and finally inhale. This is done so that the mind may become steady and free from external disturbances.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chant Attentively to Steady the Mind

  1. 1

    The breathing practices of pūraka, kumbhaka and recaka mean inhaling, retaining and exhaling. Their purpose is to control the mind and fix it on the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The mind becomes an enemy when directed toward material enjoyment and a friend when concentrated on Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet. Attentive chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa achieves the same purpose as breath control.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa’s holy name is nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because bodily exercises and breath control are difficult in this age, Lord Caitanya recommended always chanting the Lord’s holy name.

Key points from the purport
  • The real purpose of controlling the mind by the prescribed method of clearing the passage of the life air is achieved immediately if one fixes his mind directly on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
  • By the yoga system of pūraka, kumbhaka and recaka or by directly fixing the mind on the sound vibration of Kṛṣṇa or on the form of Kṛṣṇa, the same purpose is achieved.
  • Therefore, if one concentrates his mind on hearing and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, the same result is achieved.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. prāṇasyaof vital air
  2. śodhayetone should clear
  3. mārgamthe passage
  4. pūra-kumbhaka-recakaiḥby inhaling, retaining and exhaling
  5. pratikūlenaby reversing
  6. vāor
  7. cittamthe mind
  8. yathāso that
  9. sthiramsteady
  10. acañcalamfree from disturbances
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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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.28

    In this verse: “chanting”, “holy name”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 I chant, am I listening attentively to the sound of Kṛṣṇa’s name?

Practice

Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa for a few minutes, carefully listening to each name.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.28's connections

Live this todayChant Attentively to Steady the MindThis 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 3.28.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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