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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
3.29.303.29.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.31

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

ततो वर्णाश्च चत्वारस्तेषां ब्राह्मण उत्तम: ।

ब्राह्मणेष्वपि वेदज्ञो ह्यर्थज्ञोऽभ्यधिकस्तत: ॥ ३१ ॥

tato varṇāś ca catvāras

teṣāṁ brāhmaṇa uttamaḥ

brāhmaṇeṣv api veda-jño

hy artha-jño ’bhyadhikas tataḥ

Translation

Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as brāhmaṇas, are best. Among the brāhmaṇas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brāhmaṇas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Understand the Purpose of the Vedas

  1. 1

    The four social classifications are based on quality and work. The purport distinguishes this system from its corrupted form in the present caste system.

  2. 2

    A brāhmaṇa is trained to understand the Absolute Truth. Studying the Vedas reaches its purpose when one understands the Absolute.

  3. 3

    The Absolute Truth is understood as Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān. One who understands Bhagavān as the Supreme Personality of Godhead is considered the best of the brāhmaṇas, or a Vaiṣṇava.

Key points from the purport
  • The system of four classifications in human society according to quality and work is very scientific.
  • Unless there is such a division of the social orders in human society, including the intelligent class, the martial class, the mercantile class and the laborer class, there is always confusion as to who is to work for what purpose.
  • The purpose of Veda is to understand the Absolute.

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. tataḥamong them
  2. varṇāḥclasses
  3. caand
  4. catvāraḥfour
  5. teṣāmof them
  6. brāhmaṇaḥa brāhmaṇa
  7. uttamaḥbest
  8. brāhmaṇeṣuamong the brāhmaṇas
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understand”

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 studying simply to gather information, or to understand the Absolute Truth?

Practice

Write one sentence explaining that the purpose of the Vedas is to understand the Absolute Truth.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand the Purpose of the VedasThis 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 3.29.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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