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
3.31.45-463.31.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.47

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

तस्मान्न कार्य: सन्त्रासो न कार्पण्यं न सम्भ्रम: ।

बुद्ध्वा जीवगतिं धीरो मुक्तसङ्गश्चरेदिह ॥ ४७ ॥

tasmān na kāryaḥ santrāso

na kārpaṇyaṁ na sambhramaḥ

buddhvā jīva-gatiṁ dhīro

mukta-saṅgaś cared iha

Translation

Therefore, one should not view death with horror, nor have recourse to defining the body as soul, nor give way to exaggeration in enjoying the bodily necessities of life. Realizing the true nature of the living entity, one should move about in the world free from attachment and steadfast in purpose.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Real Renunciation Means Serving the Lord

  1. 1

    Rather than becoming overwhelmed by birth and death, seek a remedy through association with liberated persons. One sincerely engaged in uninterrupted devotional service is situated in liberation.

  2. 2

    Real renunciation means giving up the false claim to ownership and control. Everything belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and can be used in His service.

  3. 3

    Do not unnecessarily increase bodily necessities or reject things useful for the Lord's service. Be satisfied with what Kṛṣṇa supplies and spend time in devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • One should try to associate with a liberated person, and then the problems of life, namely birth and death, can be solved.
  • While discharging devotional service in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one should not be miserly.
  • Everything belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore everything can be engaged in the service of the Lord; nothing should be used for one’s sense gratification.

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. tasmāton account of death
  2. nanot
  3. kāryaḥshould be done
  4. santrāsaḥhorror
  5. nanot
  6. kārpaṇyammiserliness
  7. nanot
  8. sambhramaḥeagerness for material gain
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “death”

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 possession could I use in the Lord's service instead of treating it as mine to enjoy?

Practice

Use one thing you already have for devotional service today, without acquiring anything new.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReal Renunciation Means Serving the LordThis 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 3.31.47? 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