1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.31.433.31.45-46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.44

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

जीवो ह्यस्यानुगो देहो भूतेन्द्रियमनोमय: ।

तन्निरोधोऽस्य मरणमाविर्भावस्तु सम्भव: ॥ ४४ ॥

jīvo hy asyānugo deho

bhūtendriya-mano-mayaḥ

tan-nirodho ’sya maraṇam

āvirbhāvas tu sambhavaḥ

Translation

In this way the living entity gets a suitable body with a material mind and senses, according to his fruitive activities. When the reaction of his particular activity comes to an end, that end is called death, and when a particular type of reaction begins, that beginning is called birth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bodies Change as Actions Bear Results

  1. 1

    The living entity receives a body, mind and senses suited to his fruitive activities. Under māyā, he wanders through the universe on the carriage of the body.

  2. 2

    Birth begins a particular set of reactions, and death marks its end. One lifetime is only a brief part of a long series of actions and reactions.

  3. 3

    A change of body provides a different field of activities, just as childhood activities change into youthful activities. The beginning of this continuing process cannot be traced.

Key points from the purport
  • When a child is born, it is to be understood that his particular type of body is the beginning of another set of activities, and when an old man dies, it is to be understood that one set of reactionary activities is finished.
  • The change of body means a change to a different field of activities.
  • It is clear that a particular body is given to the living entity for a particular type of activity.

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. jīvaḥthe living entity
  2. hiindeed
  3. asyaof him
  4. anugaḥsuitable
  5. dehaḥbody
  6. bhūtagross material elements
  7. indriyasenses
  8. manaḥmind
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”, “māyā”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “death”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “childhood”

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

How does seeing this body as a temporary field of activity change my priorities?

Practice

Reflect for two minutes on how your activities have changed since childhood, along with your body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBodies Change as Actions Bear ResultsThis 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 3.31.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories