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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
3.31.473.32.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.48

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

सम्यग्दर्शनया बुद्ध्या योगवैराग्ययुक्तया ।

मायाविरचिते लोके चरेन्न्यस्य कलेवरम् ॥ ४८ ॥

samyag-darśanayā buddhyā

yoga-vairāgya-yuktayā

māyā-viracite loke

caren nyasya kalevaram

Translation

Endowed with right vision and strengthened by devotional service and a pessimistic attitude towards material identity, one should relegate his body to this illusory world through his reason. Thus one can be unconcerned with this material world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Right Vision Strengthens Devotion and Detachment

  1. 1

    Association with liberated persons need not depend on physical proximity. One can associate by understanding the problems of life through philosophy and logic.

  2. 2

    The devotee's intelligence remains in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Knowing the material world to be a creation of illusory energy, the devotee becomes detached from material existence.

  3. 3

    Realizing himself to be part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, the devotee performs devotional service, aloof from material action and reaction. On leaving the material body, he enters the kingdom of God as pure soul.

Key points from the purport
  • His attitude towards the material existence is one of detachment, for he knows perfectly well that this material world is a creation of illusory energy.
  • Realizing himself to be part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, the devotee discharges his devotional service and is completely aloof from material action and reaction.
  • Thus at the end he gives up his material body, or the material energy, and as pure soul he enters the kingdom of God.

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. samyak-darśanayāendowed with right vision
  2. buddhyāthrough reason
  3. yogaby devotional service
  4. vairāgyaby detachment
  5. yuktayāstrengthened
  6. māyā-viracitearranged by māyā
  7. loketo this world
  8. caretone should move about
  9. nyasyarelegating
  10. kalevaramthe body
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: “devotional service”, “devotee's”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophy”, “understanding”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 can understanding my spiritual nature strengthen my devotional service?

Practice

Spend five minutes considering this purport's teaching that you are part and parcel of the Supreme Soul, and then perform one small act of devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRight Vision Strengthens Devotion and DetachmentThis 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 3.31.48? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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