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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 29: Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila
3.29.153.29.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.16

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.29.7inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

मद्धिष्ण्यदर्शनस्पर्शपूजास्तुत्यभिवन्दनै: ।

भूतेषु मद्भावनया सत्त्वेनासङ्गमेन च ॥ १६ ॥

mad-dhiṣṇya-darśana-sparśa-

pūjā-stuty-abhivandanaiḥ

bhūteṣu mad-bhāvanayā

sattvenāsaṅgamena ca

Translation

The devotee should regularly see My statues in the temple, touch My lotus feet and offer worshipable paraphernalia and prayer. He should see in the spirit of renunciation, from the mode of goodness, and see every living entity as spiritual.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship, Respect, and Continue With Patience

  1. 1

    Temple worship is a duty for both beginners and advanced devotees. An advanced devotee sees the arcā-vigraha, the temple Deity, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not merely His representation.

  2. 2

    A devotee should respect every living entity as a spiritual spark, part and parcel of the Supreme Lord. Equal spiritual vision does not mean associating with everyone; one should seek persons developed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and avoid bad character.

  3. 3

    Devotional service requires enthusiasm, patience, and confidence. Rather than giving up after unsuccessful attempts, one should continue according to the rules and regulations, trusting that Kṛṣṇa will accept the service.

Key points from the purport
  • At the same time, to advance in devotional service, a devotee should see other living entities as spiritual sparks, parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord.
  • Because every living entity originally has a relationship with the Lord as part and parcel, a devotee should try to see all living entities on the same equal level of spiritual existence.
  • If a devotee does not see every living entity as part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, he is considered prākṛta-bhakta, a materialistic devotee.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. matMy
  2. dhiṣṇyastatue
  3. darśanaseeing
  4. sparśatouching
  5. pūjāworshiping
  6. stutipraying to
  7. abhivandanaiḥby offering obeisances
  8. bhūteṣuin all living entities
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “worshipable”, “devotional service”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “duty”

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 devotional service feels difficult, what helps me continue with patience and confidence?

Practice

Repeat one devotional practice today that you have found difficult to maintain, without judging its success by immediate results.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship, Respect, and Continue With PatienceThis 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 3.29.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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