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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.203.31.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.21

Mukti· Liberation
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

तस्मादहं विगतविक्लव उद्धरिष्य

आत्मानमाशु तमस: सुहृदात्मनैव ।

भूयो यथा व्यसनमेतदनेकरन्ध्रं

मा मे भविष्यदुपसादितविष्णुपाद: ॥ २१ ॥

tasmād ahaṁ vigata-viklava uddhariṣya

ātmānam āśu tamasaḥ suhṛdātmanaiva

bhūyo yathā vyasanam etad aneka-randhraṁ

mā me bhaviṣyad upasādita-viṣṇu-pādaḥ

Translation

Therefore, without being agitated any more, I shall deliver myself from the darkness of nescience with the help of my friend, clear consciousness. Simply by keeping the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu in my mind, I shall be saved from entering into the wombs of many mothers for repeated birth and death.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Kṛṣṇa in Every Circumstance

  1. 1

    Changing bodies does not end the suffering of material existence. By the Lord’s grace, developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness saves one from repeated birth and death.

  2. 2

    Intelligence becomes a friend when absorbed in the personal service of Kṛṣṇa. Full consciousness of Him is the path of self-realization and liberation.

  3. 3

    No special material arrangement is needed to cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One can think of Kṛṣṇa and chant His holy names anywhere and in any circumstance.

Key points from the purport
  • The best thing, therefore, is to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • One who is intelligent, by the grace of the Lord, and develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is successful in his life because simply by keeping himself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he will be saved from the repetition of birth and death.
  • The child prays that it is better to remain within the womb of darkness and be constantly absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness than to get out and again fall a victim to the illusory energy.

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. tasmāttherefore
  2. ahamI
  3. vigataceased
  4. viklavaḥagitation
  5. uddhariṣyeshall deliver
  6. ātmānammyself
  7. āśuquickly
  8. tamasaḥfrom the darkness
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “friend”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “mothers”

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 ordinary moment in my day could become an opportunity to remember Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Kṛṣṇa in Every CircumstanceThis 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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