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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
3.31.353.31.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.36

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

प्रजापति: स्वां दुहितरं दृष्ट्वा तद्रूपधर्षित: ।

रोहिद्भूतां सोऽन्वधावद‍ृक्षरूपी हतत्रप: ॥ ३६ ॥

prajāpatiḥ svāṁ duhitaraṁ

dṛṣṭvā tad-rūpa-dharṣitaḥ

rohid-bhūtāṁ so ’nvadhāvad

ṛkṣa-rūpī hata-trapaḥ

Translation

At the sight of his own daughter, Brahmā was bewildered by her charms and shamelessly ran up to her in the form of a stag when she took the form of a hind.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Control the Senses Through Kṛṣṇa’s Service

  1. 1

    Brahmā’s bewilderment shows that even great demigods can be overcome by sexual attraction. Ordinary conditioned souls should not be overconfident.

  2. 2

    The senses are so strong that infatuation can disregard even close family relationships. The purport therefore advises caution in association.

  3. 3

    The best way to control the senses is bhakti-yoga, service to Kṛṣṇa as Madana-mohana. He can subdue Cupid, or lust, where other attempts at control fail.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Brahmā’s being captivated by the charms of his daughter and Lord Śiva’s being captivated by the Mohinī form of the Lord are specific instances which instruct us that even great demigods like Brahmā and Lord Śiva, what to speak of the ordinary conditioned soul, are captivated by the beauty of woman.
  • Therefore, everyone is advised that one should not freely mix even with one’s daughter, mother or sister because the senses are so strong that when one becomes infatuated the senses do not consider the relationship of daughter, mother or sister.
  • It is best, therefore, to practice controlling the senses by performing bhakti-yoga, engaging in the service of Madana-mohana.

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. prajā-patiḥLord Brahmā
  2. svāmhis own
  3. duhitaramdaughter
  4. dṛṣṭvāhaving seen
  5. tat-rūpaby her charms
  6. dharṣitaḥbewildered
  7. rohit-bhūtāmto her in the form of a deer
  8. saḥhe
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “lust”

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

Am I relying only on my own strength, or seeking control through service to Madana-mohana?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for service to Kṛṣṇa, remembering Him as Madana-mohana, who subdues lust.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.31's connections

Live this todayControl the Senses Through Kṛṣṇa’s ServiceThis 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 3.31.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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