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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 30: Description by Lord Kapila of Adverse Fruitive Activities
3.30.313.30.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.30.32

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.30.29inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

दैवेनासादितं तस्य शमलं निरये पुमान् ।

भुङ्क्ते कुटुम्बपोषस्य हृतवित्त इवातुर: ॥ ३२ ॥

daivenāsāditaṁ tasya

śamalaṁ niraye pumān

bhuṅkte kuṭumba-poṣasya

hṛta-vitta ivāturaḥ

Translation

Thus, by the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the maintainer of kinsmen is put into a hellish condition to suffer for his sinful activities, like a man who has lost his wealth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Life Before It Is Lost

  1. 1

    The human body is a very valuable asset, achieved after many, many births. It should be used to gain liberation, not simply to maintain a family through unauthorized actions.

  2. 2

    Wasting human life is compared to losing wealth and then lamenting. While this valuable opportunity remains, one should use it properly to gain eternal profit.

  3. 3

    By the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sinful reactions remain with a person even when the money is left behind. Returning stolen money does not by itself remove the punishment for stealing.

Key points from the purport
  • The example set herein is that the sinful person suffers just like a man who has lost his wealth.
  • But it is especially mentioned herein that by superior arrangement (daivenāsāditam), although the man leaves behind him his sinfully earned money, he carries the effect of it.
  • Similarly, the money earned by a criminal process may be left by the man when dying, but by superior arrangement he carries with him the effect, and therefore he has to suffer hellish life.

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. daivenaby the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  2. āsāditamobtained
  3. tasyahis
  4. śamalamsinful reaction
  5. nirayein a hellish condition
  6. pumānthe man
  7. bhuṅkteundergoes
  8. kuṭumba-poṣasyaof maintaining a family
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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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “lamenting”

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 using this valuable human life for liberation, or only for immediate material needs?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to reflect on how you can use your human life for liberation.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life Before It Is LostThis 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 3.30.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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