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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.143.31.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.15

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
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

यन्माययोरुगुणकर्मनिबन्धनेऽस्मिन्

सांसारिके पथि चरंस्तदभिश्रमेण ।

नष्टस्मृति: पुनरयं प्रवृणीत लोकं

युक्त्या कया महदनुग्रहमन्तरेण ॥ १५ ॥

yan-māyayoru-guṇa-karma-nibandhane ’smin

sāṁsārike pathi caraṁs tad-abhiśrameṇa

naṣṭa-smṛtiḥ punar ayaṁ pravṛṇīta lokaṁ

yuktyā kayā mahad-anugraham antareṇa

Translation

The human soul further prays: The living entity is put under the influence of material nature and continues a hard struggle for existence on the path of repeated birth and death. This conditional life is due to his forgetfulness of his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, without the Lord’s mercy, how can he again engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Mercy Restores Loving Service

  1. 1

    Forgetfulness of our relationship with the Supreme Lord leads to the struggle of repeated birth and death. Mental speculation alone cannot reveal His actual form, qualities and name.

  2. 2

    The living entity misuses his little independence when he tries to lord it over material nature. Although māyā is difficult to overcome, surrender to the Lord makes freedom possible by His mercy.

  3. 3

    Perfect knowledge means recognizing the Lord as the supreme worshipful object and oneself as His eternal servant. His mercy enables the soul to return to transcendental loving service.

Key points from the purport
  • But here it is said one is liberated not by knowledge but by the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
  • Arguments may be put forward as to why we have been put under the influence of this material energy by the supreme will of the Lord.
  • The activities of the conditioned souls under the influence of material nature are explained here.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatof the Lord
  2. māyayāby the māyā
  3. uru-guṇaarising from the great modes
  4. karmaactivities
  5. nibandhanewith bonds
  6. asminthis
  7. sāṁsārikeof repeated birth and death
  8. pathion the path
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “māyā”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “death”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

How am I using my independence: to seek control or to serve the Lord?

Practice

Before one decision today, pause and pray for the Lord’s mercy to choose service rather than personal control.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Mercy Restores Loving ServiceThis 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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