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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
3.32.413.32.43

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.42

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Lord Kapilasince 3.32.39inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

बहिर्जातविरागाय शान्तचित्ताय दीयताम् ।

निर्मत्सराय शुचये यस्याहं प्रेयसां प्रिय: ॥ ४२ ॥

bahir-jāta-virāgāya

śānta-cittāya dīyatām

nirmatsarāya śucaye

yasyāhaṁ preyasāṁ priyaḥ

Translation

This instruction should be imparted by the spiritual master to persons who have taken the Supreme Personality of Godhead to be more dear than anything, who are not envious of anyone, who are perfectly cleansed and who have developed detachment for that which is outside the purview of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Making Kṛṣṇa the Dearest Goal

  1. 1

    No one begins at the highest stage of devotional service. To progress, one should accept a spiritual master, inquire from him, and take up devotional activities such as chanting the holy name and hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

  2. 2

    A devotee should respect and serve the spiritual master, rejoice in other devotees’ advancement, and think of the welfare of all living entities. Chanting the holy name helps one become cleansed externally and internally.

  3. 3

    The spiritual master should train a qualified disciple to make Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the dearmost goal of life. The disciple should develop detachment from activities and desires outside Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Rather, if a godbrother is more enlightened and advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one should accept him as almost equal to the spiritual master, and one should be happy to see such godbrothers advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
  • One should give personal service and all kinds of comforts to the spiritual master.
  • The word dīyatām means that knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness should be offered by the spiritual master.

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. bahiḥfor what is outside
  2. jāta-virāgāyato him who has developed detachment
  3. śānta-cittāyawhose mind is peaceful
  4. dīyatāmlet this be instructed
  5. nirmatsarāyanonenvious
  6. śucayeperfectly cleansed
  7. yasyaof whom
  8. ahamI
  9. preyasāmof all that is very dear
  10. priyaḥthe most dear
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”, “holy name”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “detachment”

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 can I become happier to see another devotee advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, counting the repetitions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaking Kṛṣṇa the Dearest GoalThis 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 3.32.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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