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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
3.29.413.29.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.42

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

स्रवन्ति सरितो भीता नोत्सर्पत्युदधिर्यत: ।

अग्निरिन्धे सगिरिभिर्भूर्न मज्जति यद्भयात् ॥ ४२ ॥

sravanti sarito bhītā

notsarpaty udadhir yataḥ

agnir indhe sa-giribhir

bhūr na majjati yad-bhayāt

Translation

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the rivers flow, and the ocean never overflows. Out of fear of Him only does fire burn and does the earth, with its mountains, not sink in the water of the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Lawmaker Behind Nature’s Laws

  1. 1

    The purport describes Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu lying on the water that fills half the universe. The planets exist within the stem of the lotus growing from His abdomen.

  2. 2

    Scientists can discover laws of nature, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the lawmaker. The purport directs us to recognize Him behind those laws.

  3. 3

    The planets, though heavy with mountains, oceans and buildings, remain afloat by the Lord’s order or energy. The rivers, ocean, fire and earth also act under His control.

Key points from the purport
  • The material scientist explains that all these different planets are floating because of the law of gravity or some other law; but the actual lawmaker is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • From Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā we can know who the lawmaker is: the lawmaker is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Since they are floating under the order or energy of the Supreme Godhead, they do not fall down into the water which covers half the universe.

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. sravantiflow
  2. saritaḥrivers
  3. bhītāḥfearful
  4. nanot
  5. utsarpatioverflows
  6. uda-dhiḥthe ocean
  7. yataḥbecause of whom
  8. agniḥfire
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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

  • 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 think about nature’s laws, do I also consider the supreme lawmaker?

Practice

Reread the translation and identify one natural activity it connects with the Lord’s control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Lawmaker Behind Nature’s LawsThis 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 3.29.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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