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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
3.32.33.32.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.4

Nirodha· Winding up
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

यदा चाहीन्द्रशय्यायां शेतेऽनन्तासनो हरि: ।

तदा लोका लयं यान्ति त एते गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ ४ ॥

yadā cāhīndra-śayyāyāṁ

śete ’nantāsano hariḥ

tadā lokā layaṁ yānti

ta ete gṛha-medhinām

Translation

All the planets of the materialistic persons, including all the heavenly planets, such as the moon, are vanquished when the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, goes to His bed of serpents, which is known as Ananta Śeṣa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek the Lord’s Abode, Not Temporary Heavens

  1. 1

    Materially attached people seek heavenly planets for longer life and greater enjoyment. Even Brahmaloka, however, is subject to destruction and the sufferings of material existence.

  2. 2

    At the end of Brahmā’s day, the lower planetary systems are destroyed and later recreated. At the end of his life, all planetary systems dissolve and enter the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    Only by approaching the Lord’s abode, Vaikuṇṭhaloka, does one avoid birth again in this material world. There one can attain eternal, blissful life in knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • The materially attached are very eager to promote themselves to the heavenly planets such as the moon.
  • At that time all the planetary systems, including the heavenly systems, are dissolved in water and enter into the body of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, who lies on the Garbhodaka Ocean on the bed of serpents, called Śeṣa.
  • These less intelligent persons do not know that even if they are promoted to the heavenly planets, at the time of dissolution they themselves, the demigods and all their planets will be annihilated.

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. yadāwhen
  2. caand
  3. ahi-indraof the king of snakes
  4. śayyāyāmon the bed
  5. śetelies
  6. ananta-āsanaḥHe whose seat is Ananta Śeṣa
  7. hariḥLord Hari
  8. tadāthen
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialistic”, “attached”, “materially”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “sufferings”

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 seeking a better temporary situation or eternal life in the Lord’s abode?

Practice

Spend one minute reflecting on the difference between temporary heavenly happiness and eternal life in the kingdom of God.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek the Lord’s Abode, Not Temporary HeavensThis 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 3.32.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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