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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
3.31.293.31.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.30

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

भूतै: पञ्चभिरारब्धे देहे देह्यबुधोऽसकृत् ।

अहंममेत्यसद्ग्राह: करोति कुमतिर्मतिम् ॥ ३० ॥

bhūtaiḥ pañcabhir ārabdhe

dehe dehy abudho ’sakṛt

ahaṁ mamety asad-grāhaḥ

karoti kumatir matim

Translation

By such ignorance the living entity accepts the material body, which is made of five elements, as himself. With this misunderstanding, he accepts nonpermanent things as his own and increases his ignorance in the darkest region.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize the Ignorance of “I” and “Mine”

  1. 1

    The first ignorance is identifying the material body, made of five elements, as the self.

  2. 2

    The second ignorance is accepting something as one’s own because of its connection with the body. In this way, ignorance expands.

  3. 3

    The living entity is eternal, but accepting temporary things as his true interest brings ignorance and material suffering.

Key points from the purport
  • The expansion of ignorance is explained in this verse.
  • The first ignorance is to identify one’s material body, which is made of five elements, as the self, and the second is to accept something as one’s own due to a bodily connection.
  • The living entity is eternal, but because of his accepting nonpermanent things, misidentifying his interest, he is put into ignorance, and therefore he suffers material pangs.

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. bhūtaiḥby material elements
  2. pañcabhiḥfive
  3. ārabdhemade
  4. dehein the body
  5. dehīthe living entity
  6. abudhaḥignorant
  7. asakṛtconstantly
  8. ahamI
3

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: “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

Where do I mistake something temporary for my lasting identity or interest?

Practice

Look at one possession and reflect: “This is temporary; the living entity is eternal.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize the Ignorance of “I” and “Mine”This 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 3.31.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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