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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
3.29.433.29.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.29.44

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

गुणाभिमानिनो देवा: सर्गादिष्वस्य यद्भयात् ।

वर्तन्तेऽनुयुगं येषां वश एतच्चराचरम् ॥ ४४ ॥

guṇābhimānino devāḥ

sargādiṣv asya yad-bhayāt

vartante ’nuyugaṁ yeṣāṁ

vaśa etac carācaram

Translation

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the directing demigods in charge of the modes of material nature carry out the functions of creation, maintenance and destruction; everything animate and inanimate within this material world is under their control.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Is the Supreme Controller

  1. 1

    Viṣṇu directs goodness, Brahmā directs passion, and Lord Śiva directs ignorance. Other demigods oversee departments such as air, water and clouds.

  2. 2

    These departments function in proper order out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although there are many controllers, Kṛṣṇa is the supreme controller above them all.

  3. 3

    One dissolution occurs during Brahmā’s night, and the final dissolution occurs when he dies. Until then, creation, maintenance and destruction proceed through different demigods under the Supreme Lord’s supervision.

Key points from the purport
  • The three modes of material nature, namely goodness, passion and ignorance, are under the control of three deities — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Lord Śiva.
  • Similarly, there are many other demigods in charge of the air department, the water department, the cloud department, etc. Just as the government has many different departments, so, within this material world, the government of the Supreme Lord has many departments, and all these departments function in proper order out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • As long as Brahmā does not die, creation, maintenance and destruction are actuated by different demigods under the superintendence of the Supreme 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. guṇathe modes of material nature
  2. abhimāninaḥin charge of
  3. devāḥthe demigods
  4. sarga-ādiṣuin the matter of creation and so on
  5. asyaof this world
  6. yat-bhayātout of fear of whom
  7. vartantecarry out functions
  8. anuyugamaccording to the yugas
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: “material”

  • 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

How does knowing that Kṛṣṇa is above all other controllers shape my understanding of His supremacy?

Practice

Recall the three modes and their directing deities, then remember that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme controller.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Is the Supreme ControllerThis 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 3.29.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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