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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
3.32.253.32.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.26

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
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

ज्ञानमात्रं परं ब्रह्म परमात्मेश्वर: पुमान् ।

द‍ृश्यादिभि: पृथग्भावैर्भगवानेक ईयते ॥ २६ ॥

jñāna-mātraṁ paraṁ brahma

paramātmeśvaraḥ pumān

dṛśy-ādibhiḥ pṛthag bhāvair

bhagavān eka īyate

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead alone is complete transcendental knowledge, but according to the different processes of understanding He appears differently, either as impersonal Brahman, as Paramātmā, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead or as the puruṣa-avatāra.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Reveals the Supreme Person

  1. 1

    The one Supreme Personality of Godhead is understood differently through different processes: as impersonal Brahman, Paramātmā or the Supreme Person. Pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness reveals Him as the Supreme Person.

  2. 2

    Bhagavān is full in six opulences: wealth, fame, strength, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. Ultimately, understanding Him requires bhakti-yoga.

  3. 3

    The devotee can see the Supreme Lord face to face and become His personal associate. One should make the Lord’s supreme abode one’s destination.

Key points from the purport
  • The one Supreme Personality of Godhead reveals Himself to different thinkers as the Supreme Person or impersonal Brahman or Paramātmā.
  • Since the Supreme Personality of Godhead is both invisible and visible, there are different features of the Lord.
  • The supreme spiritual conception is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jñānaknowledge
  2. mātramonly
  3. paramtranscendental
  4. brahmaBrahman
  5. parama-ātmāParamātmā
  6. īśvaraḥthe controller
  7. pumānSupersoul
  8. dṛśi-ādibhiḥby philosophical research and other processes
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

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 does understanding the Supreme as a person deepen your desire for devotional service?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute reflecting on the Lord’s six opulences and your desire to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Reveals the Supreme PersonThis 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.

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