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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
3.31.383.31.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.39

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

सङ्गं न कुर्यात्प्रमदासु जातु

योगस्य पारं परमारुरुक्षु: ।

मत्सेवया प्रतिलब्धात्मलाभो

वदन्ति या निरयद्वारमस्य ॥ ३९ ॥

saṅgaṁ na kuryāt pramadāsu jātu

yogasya pāraṁ param ārurukṣuḥ

mat-sevayā pratilabdhātma-lābho

vadanti yā niraya-dvāram asya

Translation

One who aspires to reach the culmination of yoga and has realized his self by rendering service unto Me should never associate with an attractive woman, for such a woman is declared in the scripture to be the gateway to hell for the advancing devotee.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Culmination of Yoga Is Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    Full Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the culmination of yoga. One who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa in devotion is the topmost yogī.

  2. 2

    Devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead frees one from material contamination. Then one can understand the science of God and realize the self.

  3. 3

    For the advancing devotee, the purport strictly warns against intimate association with women. It permits householders a restricted intimate relationship for begetting nice children, not unrestricted enjoyment.

Key points from the purport
  • The culmination of yoga is full Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • In no standard yoga system is the association of women accepted.
  • The association of woman is very much restricted in the Vedic civilization.

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. saṅgamassociation
  2. nanot
  3. kuryātone should make
  4. pramadāsuwith women
  5. jātuever
  6. yogasyaof yoga
  7. pāramculmination
  8. paramtopmost
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “householders”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “contamination”

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

What attachment could distract me from thinking of Kṛṣṇa in devotion?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to think of Kṛṣṇa in devotion, without pursuing a distracting pleasure.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Culmination of Yoga Is 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 3.31.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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