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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
3.32.373.32.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.38

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

जीवस्य संसृतीर्बह्वीरविद्याकर्मनिर्मिता: ।

यास्वङ्ग प्रविशन्नात्मा न वेद गतिमात्मन: ॥ ३८ ॥

jīvasya saṁsṛtīr bahvīr

avidyā-karma-nirmitāḥ

yāsv aṅga praviśann ātmā

na veda gatim ātmanaḥ

Translation

There are varieties of material existence for the living entity according to the work he performs in ignorance or forgetfulness of his real identity. My dear mother, if anyone enters into that forgetfulness, he is unable to understand where his movements will end.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Mercy Leads Beyond Material Darkness

  1. 1

    Work performed in ignorance of one's real identity produces many varieties of material existence. In that forgetfulness, one cannot understand where one's movements will end.

  2. 2

    The Supreme Personality of Godhead comes Himself or sends His bona fide representative to help living entities become free. He also leaves scriptures such as Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

  3. 3

    One cannot escape the darkness of material existence by personal endeavor alone. The mercy of saintly persons, the spiritual master or Kṛṣṇa is necessary.

Key points from the purport
  • Once one enters into the continuation of material existence, it is very difficult to get out.
  • Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes Himself or sends His bona fide representative, and He leaves behind scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, so that the living entities hovering in the darkness of nescience may take advantage of the instructions, the saintly persons and the spiritual masters and thus be freed.
  • Unless the living entity receives the mercy of the saintly persons, the spiritual master or Kṛṣṇa, it is not possible for him to get out of the darkness of material existence; by his own endeavor it is not possible.

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. jīvasyaof the living entity
  2. saṁsṛtīḥcourses of material existence
  3. bahvīḥmany
  4. avidyāin ignorance
  5. karmaby work
  6. nirmitāḥproduced
  7. yāsuinto which
  8. aṅgaMy dear mother
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • 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

Am I relying only on my own efforts, or accepting the guidance and mercy offered to me?

Practice

Read a short passage from Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today, looking for one instruction to accept.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMercy Leads Beyond Material DarknessThis 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 3.32.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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