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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
3.30.43.30.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.30.5

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

नरकस्थोऽपि देहं वै न पुमांस्त्यक्तुमिच्छति ।

नारक्यां निर्वृतौ सत्यां देवमायाविमोहित: ॥ ५ ॥

naraka-stho ’pi dehaṁ vai

na pumāṁs tyaktum icchati

nārakyāṁ nirvṛtau satyāṁ

deva-māyā-vimohitaḥ

Translation

The conditioned living entity is satisfied in his own particular species of life; while deluded by the covering influence of the illusory energy, he feels little inclined to cast off his body, even when in hell, for he takes delight in hellish enjoyment.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Kṛṣṇa’s Protection Beyond Bodily Attachment

  1. 1

    Māyā makes the conditioned soul deeply attached to its particular body. Even a hellish condition can seem enjoyable under her covering influence.

  2. 2

    Indra, while living as a hog, forgot his heavenly position and refused to return when Brahmā called him. This illustrates the strength of illusion.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa invites us to leave material attachment and accept His protection. Thinking that our present life is already quite satisfactory keeps us from surrendering to Him.

Key points from the purport
  • Even Indra forgets his heavenly standard of life and is satisfied with the standard of a hog’s life.
  • By the influence of māyā the conditioned soul becomes so affectionate towards his particular type of body that if he is offered, “Give up this body, and immediately you will have a king’s body,” he will not agree.
  • Everyone is satisfied with his standard of living, however abominable it may be.

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. narakain hell
  2. sthaḥsituated
  3. apieven
  4. dehambody
  5. vaiindeed
  6. nanot
  7. pumānperson
  8. tyaktumto leave
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: “attached”, “illusion”, “māyā”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “surrendering”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 3.30

    In this verse: “protection”

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

What attachment makes me hesitate to accept Kṛṣṇa’s protection?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to ask Kṛṣṇa for help in surrendering one attachment to Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Kṛṣṇa’s Protection Beyond Bodily AttachmentThis 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 3.30.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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