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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
3.29.183.29.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.19

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

मद्धर्मणो गुणैरेतै: परिसंशुद्ध आशय: ।

पुरुषस्याञ्जसाभ्येति श्रुतमात्रगुणं हि माम् ॥ १९ ॥

mad-dharmaṇo guṇair etaiḥ

parisaṁśuddha āśayaḥ

puruṣasyāñjasābhyeti

śruta-mātra-guṇaṁ hi mām

Translation

When one is fully qualified with all these transcendental attributes and his consciousness is thus completely purified, he is immediately attracted simply by hearing My name or hearing of My transcendental quality.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purified Consciousness Is Attracted to the Lord

  1. 1

    Material association develops unnecessary, contaminated qualities within us. These must be removed so that transcendental qualities can develop.

  2. 2

    Following the rules and regulations recommended in scripture frees consciousness from contamination. Through this process, a person becomes qualified with transcendental qualities.

  3. 3

    When consciousness is completely purified, simply hearing the name, qualities, or form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead immediately attracts the devotee to Him.

Key points from the purport
  • In the beginning of this instruction, the Lord explained to His mother that mad-guṇa-śruti-mātreṇa, simply by hearing of the name, quality, form, etc., of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one is immediately attracted.
  • A person becomes fully qualified with all transcendental qualities by following the rules and regulations, as recommended in different scriptures.
  • To develop transcendental qualities, as explained in the previous verse, one must become free from these contaminated qualities.

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. mat-dharmaṇaḥof My devotee
  2. guṇaiḥwith the attributes
  3. etaiḥthese
  4. parisaṁśuddhaḥcompletely purified
  5. āśayaḥconsciousness
  6. puruṣasyaof a person
  7. añjasāinstantly
  8. abhyetiapproaches
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 3.29

    In this verse: “purified”, “contaminated”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    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

Which unnecessary quality do I need to overcome to become more receptive to hearing about the Lord?

Practice

Choose one scriptural regulation you have learned and follow it attentively today as a step toward purified consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPurified Consciousness Is Attracted to the LordThis 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 3.29.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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