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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
3.29.363.29.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.37

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

रूपभेदास्पदं दिव्यं काल इत्यभिधीयते ।

भूतानां महदादीनां यतो भिन्नद‍ृशां भयम् ॥ ३७ ॥

rūpa-bhedāspadaṁ divyaṁ

kāla ity abhidhīyate

bhūtānāṁ mahad-ādīnāṁ

yato bhinna-dṛśāṁ bhayam

Translation

The time factor, who causes the transformation of the various material manifestations, is another feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anyone who does not know that time is the same Supreme Personality is afraid of the time factor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognizing the Lord in Time

  1. 1

    Time is another manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A devotee who understands this has nothing to fear from its influence.

  2. 2

    Under time’s influence, material forms continually change. A child’s body becoming a boy’s and then a young man’s body illustrates this transformation.

  3. 3

    These changes take place under the indirect control of the Supreme Lord. Not knowing how time acts gives rise to fear.

Key points from the purport
  • Everyone is afraid of the activities of time, but a devotee who knows that the time factor is another representation or manifestation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead has nothing to fear from the influence of time.
  • Similarly, everything is changed and transformed by the time factor, or by the indirect control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Usually, we do not see any difference between the body of a child and the body of a boy or young man because we know that these changes are due to the action of the time factor.

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. rūpa-bhedaof the transformation of forms
  2. āspadamthe cause
  3. divyamdivine
  4. kālaḥtime
  5. itithus
  6. abhidhīyateis known
  7. bhūtānāmof living entities
  8. mahat-ādīnāmbeginning with Lord Brahmā
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “afraid”, “fear”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.29

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 might recognizing time as the Lord’s manifestation change my response to change?

Practice

Notice one change caused by time today and remember its connection with the Supreme Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognizing the Lord in TimeThis 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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