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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 29: Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila
3.29.313.29.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.32

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

अर्थज्ञात्संशयच्छेत्ता तत: श्रेयान्स्वकर्मकृत् ।

मुक्तसङ्गस्ततो भूयानदोग्धा धर्ममात्मन: ॥ ३२ ॥

artha-jñāt saṁśaya-cchettā

tataḥ śreyān sva-karma-kṛt

mukta-saṅgas tato bhūyān

adogdhā dharmam ātmanaḥ

Translation

Better than the brāhmaṇa who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Live Knowledge Through Selfless Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Knowing the purpose of the Vedas is valuable, and being able to clear doubts about the Absolute Truth is better. Yet learning and explanation must be accompanied by following the principles.

  2. 2

    An ācārya understands the Vedic injunctions, practices them and teaches disciples accordingly. He executes devotional service without desire for elevation to a higher position.

  3. 3

    The verse places pure devotional service without expectation of reward above freedom from material contamination. The highest Vaiṣṇava sees everything in the Absolute Truth and the Absolute Truth in everything.

Key points from the purport
  • Artha-jña brāhmaṇa refers to one who has made a thorough analytical study of the Absolute Truth and who knows that the Absolute Truth is realized in three different phases, namely Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān.
  • Further, there may be a learned brāhmaṇa Vaiṣṇava who can explain clearly and eradicate all doubts, but if he does not follow the Vaiṣṇava principles, then he is not situated on a higher level.
  • One must be able to clear all doubts and simultaneously be situated in the brahminical characteristics.

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. artha-jñātthan one who knows the purpose of the Vedas
  2. saṁśayadoubts
  3. chettāone who cuts off
  4. tataḥthan him
  5. śreyānbetter
  6. sva-karmahis prescribed duties
  7. kṛtone who executes
  8. mukta-saṅgaḥliberated from material association
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: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “contamination”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

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

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 teaching do I understand but still need to put into practice?

Practice

Perform one small act of devotional service today without seeking praise or reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLive Knowledge Through Selfless Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.29.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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