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
3.31.53.31.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.31.6

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.31.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

कृमिभि: क्षतसर्वाङ्ग: सौकुमार्यात्प्रतिक्षणम् ।

मूर्च्छामाप्नोत्युरुक्लेशस्तत्रत्यै: क्षुधितैर्मुहु: ॥ ६ ॥

kṛmibhiḥ kṣata-sarvāṅgaḥ

saukumāryāt pratikṣaṇam

mūrcchām āpnoty uru-kleśas

tatratyaiḥ kṣudhitair muhuḥ

Translation

Bitten again and again all over the body by the hungry worms in the abdomen itself, the child suffers terrible agony because of his tenderness. He thus becomes unconscious moment after moment because of the terrible condition.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take the Miseries of Birth Seriously

  1. 1

    The translation describes the tender child suffering terrible agony in the womb. The purport explains that material suffering begins with contact with the material body, not merely after birth.

  2. 2

    We forget these experiences and fail to take the miseries of birth seriously. The purport urges alertness to the difficulties of both birth and death.

  3. 3

    Under the spell of māyā, we become attracted to present, so-called happiness. The purport describes this happiness as no more than a counteraction to distress.

Key points from the purport
  • The miserable condition of material existence is not only felt when we come out of the womb of the mother, but is also present within the womb.
  • Miserable life begins from the moment the living entity begins to contact his material body.
  • But despite such miserable conditions, due to the spell of māyā we forget everything and become enamored by the present so-called happiness, which is described as actually no more than a counteraction to distress.

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. kṛmibhiḥby worms
  2. kṣatabitten
  3. sarva-aṅgaḥall over the body
  4. saukumāryātbecause of tenderness
  5. prati-kṣaṇammoment after moment
  6. mūrcchāmunconsciousness
  7. āpnotihe obtains
  8. uru-kleśaḥwhose suffering is great
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: “māyā”, “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.31

    In this verse: “suffering”, “distress”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “child”

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

When do I mistake relief from distress for lasting happiness?

Practice

Notice one moment of bodily relief today and reflect on the difference between relief and lasting happiness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake the Miseries of Birth SeriouslyThis 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 3.31.6? 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