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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
3.29.243.29.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.25

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

अर्चादावर्चयेत्तावदीश्वरं मां स्वकर्मकृत् ।

यावन्न वेद स्वहृदि सर्वभूतेष्ववस्थितम् ॥ २५ ॥

arcādāv arcayet tāvad

īśvaraṁ māṁ sva-karma-kṛt

yāvan na veda sva-hṛdi

sarva-bhūteṣv avasthitam

Translation

Performing his prescribed duties, one should worship the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead until one realizes My presence in his own heart and in the hearts of other living entities as well.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship the Lord Without Neglecting Duties

  1. 1

    One should worship the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead while performing one's prescribed duties.

  2. 2

    Properly doing one's duties is not enough. One must realize one's own relationship and every other living entity's relationship with the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    Devotional service is not an excuse for laziness or neglect. A devotee should carry out prescribed duties while learning to appreciate the Lord's presence in every heart.

Key points from the purport
  • Worship of the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is prescribed herewith even for persons who are simply discharging their prescribed duties.
  • In other words, one should not be satisfied simply by discharging his duties properly; he must realize his relationship and the relationship of all other living entities with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Sva-karma-kṛt means that one should discharge the duties prescribed for him without neglect.

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. arcā-ādaubeginning with worship of the Deity
  2. arcayetone should worship
  3. tāvatso long
  4. īśvaramthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. māmMe
  6. svahis own
  7. karmaprescribed duties
  8. kṛtperforming
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: “worship”, “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “duties”

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 using devotional service as a reason to neglect any responsibility?

Practice

Complete one neglected duty today with the intention of serving the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship the Lord Without Neglecting DutiesThis 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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