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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 32: Entanglement in Fruitive Activities
3.32.13.32.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.2

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

स चापि भगवद्धर्मात्काममूढ: पराङ्‍मुख: ।

यजते क्रतुभिर्देवान्पितृंश्च श्रद्धयान्वित: ॥ २ ॥

sa cāpi bhagavad-dharmāt

kāma-mūḍhaḥ parāṅ-mukhaḥ

yajate kratubhir devān

pitṝṁś ca śraddhayānvitaḥ

Translation

Such persons are ever bereft of devotional service due to being too attached to sense gratification, and therefore, although they perform various kinds of sacrifices and take great vows to satisfy the demigods and forefathers, they are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sense Attachment Turns Us From Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Strong attachment to sense gratification turns a person away from Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Even sacrifices and great vows may be directed toward material desires rather than devotional service.

  2. 2

    Materialistic householders worship demigods or forefathers to maintain a prosperous material life. Their many demands keep their attention on satisfying the senses.

  3. 3

    The purport rejects the idea that worshiping any demigod brings the same destination as worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devotional service to the Lord is not interchangeable with worship for material benefits.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhagavad-gītā (7.20) it is said that persons who worship demigods have lost their intelligence: kāmais tais tair hṛta jñānāḥ.
  • They are much attracted to sense gratification, and therefore they worship the demigods.
  • Kāma-mūḍhas are bereft of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service and are infatuated by a strong desire for 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.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.32.2 quotesBG 7.20

In Bhagavad-gītā (7.20) it is said that persons who worship demigods have lost their intelligence: kāmais tais tair hṛta jñānāḥ.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. saḥhe
  2. ca apimoreover
  3. bhagavat-dharmātfrom devotional service
  4. kāma-mūḍhaḥinfatuated by lust
  5. parāk-mukhaḥhaving the face turned away
  6. yajateworships
  7. kratubhiḥwith sacrificial ceremonies
  8. devānthe demigods
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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: “attached”, “sense gratification”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worship”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I approach religious life mainly for material benefits or to serve the Lord?

Practice

Take a quiet minute today to pray for interest in devotional service rather than for a material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Attachment Turns Us From Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.32.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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