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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 29: Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila
3.28.443.29.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 3.29.1-2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.29.1-2inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

देवहूतिरुवाच

लक्षणं महदादीनां प्रकृते: पुरुषस्य च ।

स्वरूपं लक्ष्यतेऽमीषां येन तत्पारमार्थिकम् ॥ १ ॥

यथा साङ्ख्येषु कथितं यन्मूलं तत्प्रचक्षते ।

भक्तियोगस्य मे मार्गं ब्रूहि विस्तरश: प्रभो ॥ २ ॥

devahūtir uvāca

lakṣaṇaṁ mahad-ādīnāṁ

prakṛteḥ puruṣasya ca

svarūpaṁ lakṣyate ’mīṣāṁ

yena tat-pāramārthikam

yathā sāṅkhyeṣu kathitaṁ

yan-mūlaṁ tat pracakṣate

bhakti-yogasya me mārgaṁ

brūhi vistaraśaḥ prabho

Translation

Devahūti inquired: My dear Lord, You have already very scientifically described the symptoms of the total material nature and the characteristics of the spirit according to the Sāṅkhya system of philosophy. Now I shall request You to explain the path of devotional service, which is the ultimate end of all philosophical systems.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowledge Finds Its Goal in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Devahūti asks for the path of devotional service, the ultimate end of all philosophical systems. Bhakti-yoga means acting in the eternal relationship between the living entity and the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Philosophy that does not aim at devotional service is merely mental speculation. Devotional service without a philosophical basis is more or less sentiment.

  3. 3

    Analytical study should lead to devotional service, not stop at acquiring knowledge. The goal is to serve the Supreme Lord eternally in full devotion and love.

Key points from the purport
  • In the previous chapter, material nature, the spirit and the Supreme Lord, or Supersoul, are analytically studied, and in this chapter the principles of bhakti-yoga, or devotional service — the execution of activities in the eternal relationship between the living entities and the Personality of Godhead — are explained.
  • Bhakti-yoga, devotional service, is the basic principle of all systems of philosophy; all philosophy which does not aim for devotional service to the Lord is considered merely mental speculation.
  • By the scientific study of material nature, the living entity and the Supersoul, one has to understand the basic principle of devotional service to the Lord.

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 29: Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila

Kapila explains devotional service, honoring the Lord’s presence in all beings, and the power of time.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.29
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. devahūtiḥ uvācaDevahūti said
  2. lakṣaṇamsymptoms
  3. mahat-ādīnāmof the mahat-tattva and so on
  4. prakṛteḥof material nature
  5. puruṣasyaof the spirit
  6. caand
  7. svarūpamthe nature
  8. lakṣyateis described
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “inquired”, “philosophy”, “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.29

    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

How can my study help me serve the Lord rather than simply gather knowledge?

Practice

After studying today, write one sentence explaining how what you learned supports devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnowledge Finds Its Goal in Devotional ServiceThis 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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