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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
3.31.323.31.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.33

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

सत्यं शौचं दया मौनं बुद्धि: श्रीर्ह्रीर्यश: क्षमा ।

शमो दमो भगश्चेति यत्सङ्गाद्याति सङ्‍क्षयम् ॥ ३३ ॥

satyaṁ śaucaṁ dayā maunaṁ

buddhiḥ śrīr hrīr yaśaḥ kṣamā

śamo damo bhagaś ceti

yat-saṅgād yāti saṅkṣayam

Translation

He becomes devoid of truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, gravity, spiritual intelligence, shyness, austerity, fame, forgiveness, control of the mind, control of the senses, fortune and all such opportunities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sense Addiction Obscures Life’s Ultimate Goal

  1. 1

    Addiction to sexual enjoyment undermines truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, gravity, forgiveness, and other good qualities.

  2. 2

    The ultimate goal of life is Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu. Those absorbed in sexual enjoyment fail to understand that their ultimate interest is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  3. 3

    A show of yoga is not enough. Its real purpose is control of the senses and mind.

Key points from the purport
  • Those who are too addicted to sex life cannot understand the purpose of the Absolute Truth, nor can they be clean in their habits, not to mention showing mercy to others.
  • The ultimate goal of life is Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu, but those who are addicted to sex life cannot understand that their ultimate interest is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • Such foolish persons may even make a show of so-called yoga, but they are unable to control the senses and mind, which is the real purpose of yoga practice.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 22.88-90

These verses, quoted from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.31.33-35), were spoken by Kapiladeva, an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to His mother.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. satyamtruthfulness
  2. śaucamcleanliness
  3. dayāmercy
  4. maunamgravity
  5. buddhiḥintelligence
  6. śrīḥprosperity
  7. hrīḥshyness
  8. yaśaḥfame
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

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

Which good quality is weakened when I give too much attention to sense enjoyment?

Practice

Practice control of the mind today by setting aside one distracting sensual pursuit and reflecting on Kṛṣṇa as life’s ultimate goal.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Addiction Obscures Life’s Ultimate GoalThis 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 3.31.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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