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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 30: Description by Lord Kapila of Adverse Fruitive Activities
3.30.103.30.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.30.11

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.30.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

वार्तायां लुप्यमानायामारब्धायां पुन: पुन: ।

लोभाभिभूतो नि:सत्त्व: परार्थे कुरुते स्पृहाम् ॥ ११ ॥

vārtāyāṁ lupyamānāyām

ārabdhāyāṁ punaḥ punaḥ

lobhābhibhūto niḥsattvaḥ

parārthe kurute spṛhām

Translation

When he suffers reverses in his occupation, he tries again and again to improve himself, but when he is baffled in all attempts and is ruined, he accepts money from others because of excessive greed.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Greed Deepens the Distress of Failure

  1. 1

    When his occupation suffers reverses, the man tries again and again to improve his situation.

  2. 2

    Despite repeated attempts, he is baffled and becomes ruined.

  3. 3

    Overwhelmed by excessive greed, he accepts money from others. His desire for wealth continues even after his own efforts fail.

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 30: Description by Lord Kapila of Adverse Fruitive Activities

Kapila describes the anxiety, death, and punishment of a person absorbed in sinful material pursuits.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.30
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vārtāyāmwhen his occupation
  2. lupyamānāyāmis hampered
  3. ārabdhāyāmundertaken
  4. punaḥ punaḥagain and again
  5. lobhaby greed
  6. abhibhūtaḥoverwhelmed
  7. niḥsattvaḥruined
  8. para-arthefor the wealth of others
  9. kurute spṛhāmhe longs
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “wealth”

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 my efforts fail, does my desire for money become stronger?

Practice

Pause before seeking money or help today, and honestly examine whether need or greed is motivating you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreed Deepens the Distress of FailureThis 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 3.30.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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