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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
3.32.243.32.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.25

Mukti· Liberation
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 तदैवात्मनात्मानं नि:सङ्गं समदर्शनम् ।

हेयोपादेयरहितमारूढं पदमीक्षते ॥ २५ ॥

sa tadaivātmanātmānaṁ

niḥsaṅgaṁ sama-darśanam

heyopādeya-rahitam

ārūḍhaṁ padam īkṣate

Translation

Because of his transcendental intelligence, the pure devotee is equipoised in his vision and sees himself to be uncontaminated by matter. He does not see anything as superior or inferior, and he feels himself elevated to the transcendental platform of being equal in qualities with the Supreme Person.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Find Pleasure in the Lord’s Pleasure

  1. 1

    Perception of the disagreeable arises from attachment. A pure devotee is free from personal attachment and sees with transcendental intelligence.

  2. 2

    For the Lord’s service, a devotee can accept something disagreeable to his personal interest. What is agreeable to the Lord becomes agreeable to him.

  3. 3

    Everything the pure devotee does is for the Lord, beyond personal attraction and rejection. He enjoys life in the pleasure of the Supreme Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • A devotee has no personal attachment to anything; therefore for him there is no question of agreeable or disagreeable.
  • In fact, he is completely free from personal interest, and thus anything agreeable to the Lord is agreeable to him.
  • A pure devotee enjoys life in the pleasure of the Supreme Lord.

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 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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthe pure devotee
  2. tadāthen
  3. evacertainly
  4. ātmanāby his transcendental intelligence
  5. ātmānamhimself
  6. niḥsaṅgamwithout material attachment
  7. sama-darśanamequipoised in vision
  8. heyato be rejected
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 3.32

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “attachment”

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 your personal preference make service feel disagreeable?

Practice

Complete one small task of service today without making your personal enjoyment the deciding factor.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFind Pleasure in the Lord’s PleasureThis 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 3.32.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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