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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 30: Description by Lord Kapila of Adverse Fruitive Activities
3.30.233.30.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.30.24

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

योजनानां सहस्राणि नवतिं नव चाध्वन: ।

त्रिभिर्मुहूर्तैर्द्वाभ्यां वा नीत: प्राप्नोति यातना: ॥ २४ ॥

yojanānāṁ sahasrāṇi

navatiṁ nava cādhvanaḥ

tribhir muhūrtair dvābhyāṁ vā

nītaḥ prāpnoti yātanāḥ

Translation

Thus he has to pass ninety-nine thousand yojanas within two or three moments, and then he is at once engaged in the torturous punishment which he is destined to suffer.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Subtle Matter Beyond Ordinary Observation

  1. 1

    The person travels ninety-nine thousand yojanas within two or three moments and immediately undergoes his destined punishment. The purport calculates this distance as 792,000 miles.

  2. 2

    The constables provide a covering for the subtle body that allows the living entity to travel quickly and endure the suffering.

  3. 3

    This covering consists of material elements too fine for material scientists to discover. Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that the process is material, not spiritual.

Key points from the purport
  • One yojana is calculated to be eight miles, and he has to pass along a road which is therefore as much as 792,000 miles.
  • The subtle body is covered by the constables so that the living entity can pass such a long distance quickly and at the same time tolerate the suffering.
  • To pass 792,000 miles within a few moments seems wonderful to the modern space travelers.

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 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yojanānāmof yojanas
  2. sahasrāṇithousands
  3. navatimninety
  4. navanine
  5. caand
  6. adhvanaḥfrom a distance
  7. tribhiḥthree
  8. muhūrtaiḥwithin moments
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: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “suffering”

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

Am I willing to consider that material processes may exist beyond ordinary scientific observation?

Practice

Reread the purport and note its distinction between subtle material processes and spiritual processes.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySubtle Matter Beyond Ordinary ObservationThis 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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