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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 32: Entanglement in Fruitive Activities
3.32.163.32.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.17

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.32.1inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

रजसा कुण्ठमनस: कामात्मानोऽजितेन्द्रिया: ।

पितृन् यजन्त्यनुदिनं गृहेष्वभिरताशया: ॥ १७ ॥

rajasā kuṇṭha-manasaḥ

kāmātmāno ’jitendriyāḥ

pitṝn yajanty anudinaṁ

gṛheṣv abhiratāśayāḥ

Translation

Such persons, impelled by the mode of passion, are full of anxieties and always aspire for sense gratification due to uncontrolled senses. They worship the forefathers and are busy day and night improving the economic condition of their family, social or national life.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Passion Brings Anxiety and Endless Striving

  1. 1

    Those impelled by the mode of passion are full of anxieties. Their uncontrolled senses keep them aspiring for sense gratification.

  2. 2

    Such persons worship the forefathers while remaining absorbed in material concerns.

  3. 3

    They work day and night to improve the economic condition of their family, society or nation.

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 32: Entanglement in Fruitive Activities

Kapila contrasts temporary material rewards with the knowledge and detachment gained through devotional service to Kṛṣṇa.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.32
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rajasāby the mode of passion
  2. kuṇṭhafull of anxieties
  3. manasaḥtheir minds
  4. kāma-ātmānaḥaspiring for sense gratification
  5. ajitauncontrolled
  6. indriyāḥtheir senses
  7. pitṝnthe forefathers
  8. yajantithey worship
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 3.32

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “worship”

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 does my desire for enjoyment turn useful work into anxious, constant striving?

Practice

Pause during one anxious moment today and identify whether a desire for sense gratification is driving it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPassion Brings Anxiety and Endless StrivingThis 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 3.32.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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