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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 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.103.31.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.31.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

नाथमान ऋषिर्भीत: सप्तवध्रि: कृताञ्जलि: ।

स्तुवीत तं विक्लवया वाचा येनोदरेऽर्पित: ॥ ११ ॥

nāthamāna ṛṣir bhītaḥ

sapta-vadhriḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ

stuvīta taṁ viklavayā

vācā yenodare ’rpitaḥ

Translation

The living entity in this frightful condition of life, bound by seven layers of material ingredients, prays with folded hands, appealing to the Lord, who has put him in that condition.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Your Prayers Beyond Times of Trouble

  1. 1

    Bound by seven layers of material ingredients, the frightened living entity prays to the Lord with folded hands.

  2. 2

    In the painful condition within the womb, he promises not to repeat sinful activities that lead to repeated birth and death.

  3. 3

    Once outside the womb and enjoying good health, he forgets his promises and repeats the same sins. The purport warns against forgetting the Lord when suffering passes.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said that when a woman is having labor pains she promises that she will never again become pregnant and suffer from such a severely painful condition.
  • Similarly, the living entity, when put into a hellish condition of life, prays to the Lord that he will never again commit sinful activities and have to be put into the womb for repeated birth and death.
  • In the hellish condition within the womb, the living entity is very much afraid of being born again, but when he is out of the womb, when he is in full life and good health, he forgets everything and commits again and again the same sins for which he was put into that horrible condition of existence.

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 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities

Kapila describes life in the womb, prayer, birth, forgetfulness, and continued bondage through material activities.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.31
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nāthamānaḥappealing
  2. ṛṣiḥthe living entity
  3. bhītaḥfrightened
  4. sapta-vadhriḥbound by the seven layers
  5. kṛta-añjaliḥwith folded hands
  6. stuvītaprays
  7. tamto the Lord
  8. viklavayāfaltering
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “sinful”, “sins”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.31

    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

Do I remember my prayers and resolutions when life becomes comfortable?

Practice

Recall one sincere resolution made during difficulty, and take one small step to honor it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Your Prayers Beyond Times of TroubleThis 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 3.31.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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