1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.29.293.29.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.30

Sthāna· The universe in order
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

रूपभेदविदस्तत्र ततश्चोभयतोदत: ।

तेषां बहुपदा: श्रेष्ठाश्चतुष्पादस्ततो द्विपात् ॥ ३० ॥

rūpa-bheda-vidas tatra

tataś cobhayato-dataḥ

teṣāṁ bahu-padāḥ śreṣṭhāś

catuṣ-pādas tato dvi-pāt

Translation

Better than those living entities who can perceive sound are those who can distinguish between one form and another. Better than them are those who have developed upper and lower sets of teeth, and better still are those who have many legs. Better than them are the quadrupeds, and better still are the human beings.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Position of Human Life

  1. 1

    Those who distinguish one form from another are placed above those who perceive sound. The purport gives crows as an example of this ability.

  2. 2

    The verse next describes living entities with upper and lower sets of teeth, followed by those with many legs.

  3. 3

    Four-legged animals are placed above many-legged living entities, and human beings above four-legged animals. The purport identifies the human being as having two legs.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said that certain birds, such as crows, can distinguish one form from another.
  • Living entities that have many legs, like the wasp, are better than plants and grasses, which have no legs.
  • Four-legged animals are better than many-legged living entities, and better than the animals is the human being, who has only two legs.

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. rūpa-bhedadistinctions of form
  2. vidaḥthose who perceive
  3. tatrathan them
  4. tataḥthan them
  5. caand
  6. ubhayataḥin both jaws
  7. dataḥthose with teeth
  8. teṣāmof them
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

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

What does this description invite me to appreciate about having a human body?

Practice

Write the progression described in this verse in your own words, ending with human beings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Position of Human LifeThis 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 3.29.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories