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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 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.283.31.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.29

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.31.22inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

सह देहेन मानेन वर्धमानेन मन्युना ।

करोति विग्रहं कामी कामिष्वन्ताय चात्मन: ॥ २९ ॥

saha dehena mānena

vardhamānena manyunā

karoti vigrahaṁ kāmī

kāmiṣv antāya cātmanaḥ

Translation

With the growth of the body, the living entity, in order to vanquish his soul, increases his false prestige and anger and thereby creates enmity towards similarly lusty people.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Transform Lust into Love of Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Lust causes the living entity to fall into material existence. When lust is not satisfied, it changes into anger, and ignorance covers the soul.

  2. 2

    Lust can be purified into love of Kṛṣṇa by wanting everything for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Actual renunciation means using the things needed for bodily maintenance without attachment, for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa’s senses.

Key points from the purport
  • In reply to this question, Lord Kṛṣṇa said that it is lust which causes a living entity to glide down from his exalted position to the abominable condition of material existence.
  • Lust is actually the product of the mode of passion, and in the absence of satisfaction of lust, the same desire transforms into anger on the platform of ignorance.
  • As we have fallen into this material existence because of our lust and anger, the same two qualities can be utilized for the purpose of advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and one can elevate himself again to his former pure, spiritual position.

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. sahawith
  2. dehenathe body
  3. mānenawith false prestige
  4. vardhamānenaincreasing
  5. manyunāon account of anger
  6. karotihe creates
  7. vigrahamenmity
  8. kāmīthe lusty person
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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 3.31

    In this verse: “lusty”, “attachment”, “lust”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “love”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which desire could I redirect from my own enjoyment toward Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction?

Practice

Choose one thing you use today and consciously use it for Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than only for your own pleasure.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTransform Lust into Love of KṛṣṇaThis 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 3.31.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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