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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
3.32.303.32.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.31

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

इत्येतत्कथितं गुर्वि ज्ञानं तद्ब्रह्म-दर्शनम् ।

येनानुबुद्ध्यते तत्त्वं प्रकृते: पुरुषस्य च ॥ ३१ ॥

ity etat kathitaṁ gurvi

jñānaṁ tad brahma-darśanam

yenānubuddhyate tattvaṁ

prakṛteḥ puruṣasya ca

Translation

My dear respectful mother, I have already described the path of understanding the Absolute Truth, by which one can come to understand the real truth of matter and spirit and their relationship.

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.

Understand Matter, Spirit and Their Relationship

  1. 1

    The speaker respectfully addresses His mother while concluding His description of the path of understanding.

  2. 2

    The path described leads to understanding the Absolute Truth.

  3. 3

    Through this understanding, one comes to know the real truth of matter, spirit and their relationship.

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. itithus
  2. etatthis
  3. kathitamdescribed
  4. gurviO respectful mother
  5. jñānamknowledge
  6. tatthat
  7. brahmathe Absolute Truth
  8. darśanamrevealing
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”, “understanding”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “mother”

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

What do you still wish to understand about the relationship between matter and spirit?

Practice

Write down one question you have about matter, spirit or their relationship to guide your next study.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnderstand Matter, Spirit and Their RelationshipThis 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 3.32.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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