1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.183.31.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.19

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

पश्यत्ययं धिषणया ननु सप्तवध्रि:

शारीरके दमशरीर्यपर: स्वदेहे ।

यत्सृष्टयासं तमहं पुरुषं पुराणं

पश्ये बहिर्हृदि च चैत्यमिव प्रतीतम् ॥ १९ ॥

paśyaty ayaṁ dhiṣaṇayā nanu sapta-vadhriḥ

śārīrake dama-śarīry aparaḥ sva-dehe

yat-sṛṣṭayāsaṁ tam ahaṁ puruṣaṁ purāṇaṁ

paśye bahir hṛdi ca caityam iva pratītam

Translation

The living entity in another type of body sees only by instinct; he knows only the agreeable and disagreeable sense perceptions of that particular body. But I have a body in which I can control my senses and can understand my destination; therefore, I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whom I have been blessed with this body and by whose grace I can see Him within and without.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Human Life for Self-Realization

  1. 1

    The human form offers developed consciousness for realizing the self and the Supreme Lord. We should feel grateful for this opportunity and use it properly.

  2. 2

    An uncontrolled mind and senses complicate material life. By controlling them, we can understand the self, the Supersoul, the world and their relationship.

  3. 3

    Self-realization does not mean thinking ourselves equal to the Supreme. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of everything, and we are His parts and parcels under His control.

Key points from the purport
  • One should feel grateful to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for having obtained such a nice human form of body, and one should properly utilize it.
  • One should try to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead and one’s own self also.
  • As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, mamaivāṁśaḥ: both the living entity and the Supreme Lord are unborn, but it has to be understood that the supreme cause of the part and parcel is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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. paśyatisees
  2. ayamthis living entity
  3. dhiṣaṇayāwith intelligence
  4. nanuonly
  5. sapta-vadhriḥbound by the seven layers of material coverings
  6. śārīrakeagreeable and disagreeable sense perceptions
  7. dama-śarīrīhaving a body for self-control
  8. aparaḥanother
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “grace”, “blessed”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 could I use my ability to control my senses for self-realization?

Practice

Pause before following one sense impulse today, and offer a brief prayer of gratitude to the Supreme Lord for your human life.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Human Life for Self-RealizationThis 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 3.31.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories