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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 31: Lord Kapila’s Instructions on the Movements of the Living Entities
3.31.333.31.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.34

Mukti· Liberation
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

तेष्वशान्तेषु मूढेषु खण्डितात्मस्वसाधुषु ।

सङ्गं न कुर्याच्छोच्येषु योषित्क्रीडामृगेषु च ॥ ३४ ॥

teṣv aśānteṣu mūḍheṣu

khaṇḍitātmasv asādhuṣu

saṅgaṁ na kuryāc chocyeṣu

yoṣit-krīḍā-mṛgeṣu ca

Translation

One should not associate with a coarse fool who is bereft of the knowledge of self-realization and who is no more than a dancing dog in the hands of a woman.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Your Progress in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    The restriction on association with persons bereft of self-realization is especially meant for those advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

  2. 2

    Progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should manifest truthfulness, cleanliness, mercy, spiritual intelligence, forgiveness, and control of the mind and senses.

  3. 3

    Lord Caitanya warns those seeking to pass beyond material ignorance against association with women and persons interested in material enjoyment. Such association obstructs spiritual progress.

Key points from the purport
  • The restriction of association with such foolish persons is especially meant for those who are in the line of advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • All these qualities are to be manifested with the progress of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but if one associates with a śūdra, a foolish person who is like a dancing dog in the hands of a woman, then he cannot make any progress.
  • For a person seeking advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, such association is more dangerous than suicide.

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. teṣuwith those
  2. aśānteṣucoarse
  3. mūḍheṣufools
  4. khaṇḍita-ātmasubereft of self-realization
  5. asādhuṣuwicked
  6. saṅgamassociation
  7. nanot
  8. kuryātone should make
3

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “mercy”

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 associations help spiritual qualities grow in me, and which obstruct them?

Practice

Decline one opportunity for company centered on material enjoyment, and use that time to cultivate a quality named in the purport.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Your Progress in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 3.31.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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