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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
3.29.393.29.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.40

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

यद्भयाद्वाति वातोऽयं सूर्यस्तपति यद्भयात् ।

यद्भयाद्वर्षते देवो भगणो भाति यद्भयात् ॥ ४० ॥

yad-bhayād vāti vāto ’yaṁ

sūryas tapati yad-bhayāt

yad-bhayād varṣate devo

bha-gaṇo bhāti yad-bhayāt

Translation

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the wind blows, out of fear of Him the sun shines, out of fear of Him the rain pours forth showers, and out of fear of Him the host of heavenly bodies shed their luster.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Nature Works Under the Lord’s Direction

  1. 1

    Nature works under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The purport rejects the idea that nature operates independently and automatically.

  2. 2

    The wind blows, the sun shines and the rain falls out of fear of the Supreme Lord. Their activities take place under His supervision.

  3. 3

    The heavenly bodies also shine under His direction. All natural phenomena are under the superintendence of Viṣṇu.

Key points from the purport
  • The Lord states in Bhagavad-gītā, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate: “Nature is working under My direction.”
  • Nature is working under the superintendence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • That is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, and we also find here that the sun shines under the direction of the Lord, and the cloud pours forth showers of rain under the direction of the Lord.

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. yatof whom (the Supreme Personality of Godhead)
  2. bhayātout of fear
  3. vātiblows
  4. vātaḥthe wind
  5. ayamthis
  6. sūryaḥsun
  7. tapatishines
  8. yatof whom
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “luster”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”

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

When I notice nature, do I remember the Supreme Lord who directs it?

Practice

Observe sunlight, wind or rain today and remember that it works under Lord Viṣṇu’s direction.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNature Works Under the Lord’s DirectionThis 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 3.29.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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