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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
3.29.263.29.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.27

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

अथ मां सर्वभूतेषु भूतात्मानं कृतालयम् ।

अर्हयेद्दानमानाभ्यां मैत्र्याभिन्नेन चक्षुषा ॥ २७ ॥

atha māṁ sarva-bhūteṣu

bhūtātmānaṁ kṛtālayam

arhayed dāna-mānābhyāṁ

maitryābhinnena cakṣuṣā

Translation

Therefore, through charitable gifts and attention, as well as through friendly behavior and by viewing all to be alike, one should propitiate Me, who abide in all creatures as their very Self.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Others in Relationship With the Lord

  1. 1

    Charity, respect and friendly behavior toward living entities please the Lord who dwells within them. The individual soul should be recognized in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The individual soul does not become equal to the Supersoul because the Lord dwells within the heart. Compassion does not require treating someone as the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    The Supersoul in every living entity is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead. He remains full in all opulences and is unaffected by the body in which He dwells.

Key points from the purport
  • Here it is distinctly mentioned that the individual soul should be recognized in relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • We cannot treat the Supreme Personality of Godhead as an inferior who is dependent on our charitable gifts.
  • The Supersoul in all living entities is the same Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. athatherefore
  2. māmMe
  3. sarva-bhūteṣuin all creatures
  4. bhūta-ātmānamthe Self in all beings
  5. kṛta-ālayamabiding
  6. arhayetone should propitiate
  7. dāna-mānābhyāmthrough charity and respect
  8. maitryāthrough friendship
  9. abhinnenaequal
  10. cakṣuṣāby viewing
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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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friendly”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “compassion”

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 I show compassion while remembering the distinction between the soul and the Supreme Lord?

Practice

Give a small charitable gift to someone in material need, remembering their relationship with the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Others in Relationship With 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 3.29.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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