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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
3.29.173.29.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.18

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

आध्यात्मिकानुश्रवणान्नामसङ्कीर्तनाच्च मे ।

आर्जवेनार्यसङ्गेन निरहङ्‍‌क्रियया तथा ॥ १८ ॥

ādhyātmikānuśravaṇān

nāma-saṅkīrtanāc ca me

ārjavenārya-saṅgena

nirahaṅkriyayā tathā

Translation

A devotee should always try to hear about spiritual matters and should always utilize his time in chanting the holy name of the Lord. His behavior should always be straightforward and simple, and although he is not envious but friendly to everyone, he should avoid the company of persons who are not spiritually advanced.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear, Chant, and Live Simply

  1. 1

    Hear spiritual knowledge from authentic sources, taking instructions from the ācārya and assimilating them. Follow regulations for actual spiritual advancement, not merely as a routine.

  2. 2

    Chant the holy names of the Lord, individually or with others. Lord Caitanya especially stressed this chanting as the basic principle of spiritual advancement.

  3. 3

    Be straightforward, tolerant, meek, and humble, without schemes for personal self-interest or demands for respect. Remain friendly to everyone while avoiding close company with those who are not advancing spiritually.

Key points from the purport
  • One should hear from authentic sources how to advance in spiritual life; such instructions should be taken from the ācārya and should be assimilated.
  • Of course, preachers sometimes have to make some plan to execute the mission of the Lord under proper guidance, but regarding personal self-interest, a devotee should always be without diplomacy, and he should avoid the company of persons who are not advancing in spiritual life.
  • Lord Caitanya advised, asat-saṅga-tyāga: one should avoid persons who are attached to the temporary.

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. ādhyātmikaspiritual matters
  2. anuśravaṇātfrom hearing
  3. nāma-saṅkīrtanātfrom chanting the holy name
  4. caand
  5. meMy
  6. ārjavenawith straightforward behavior
  7. ārya-saṅgenawith association of saintly persons
  8. nirahaṅkriyayāwithout false ego
  9. tathāthus
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.29

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “friendly”

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

Am I following spiritual practices to advance, or simply out of habit?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to chant: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear, Chant, and Live SimplyThis 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 3.29.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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