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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
3.32.43.32.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.32.5

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

ये स्वधर्मान्न दुह्यन्ति धीरा: कामार्थहेतवे ।

नि:सङ्गा न्यस्तकर्माण: प्रशान्ता: शुद्धचेतस: ॥ ५ ॥

ye sva-dharmān na duhyanti

dhīrāḥ kāmārtha-hetave

niḥsaṅgā nyasta-karmāṇaḥ

praśāntāḥ śuddha-cetasaḥ

Translation

Those who are intelligent and are of purified consciousness are completely satisfied in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Freed from the modes of material nature, they do not act for sense gratification; rather, since they are situated in their own occupational duties, they act as one is expected to act.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perform Your Duties for Kṛṣṇa’s Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Arjuna did not want to fight for his own sense gratification. When he understood that his duty was to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he fought.

  2. 2

    Those who perform their duties for the Supreme Lord and give Him the results are free from material attachment. Their work may look ordinary, but its purpose is the Lord’s satisfaction.

  3. 3

    Purified consciousness means understanding oneself as the Lord’s eternal servant, not the master. Working for Him brings complete satisfaction, while working for personal sense gratification brings anxiety.

Key points from the purport
  • But as far as Arjuna is concerned, he declined to fight for his own sense gratification.
  • Thus he fought not for his sense gratification but for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Persons who work at their prescribed duties, not for sense gratification but for gratification of the Supreme Lord, are called niḥsaṅga, freed from the influence of the modes of material nature.

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. yethose who
  2. sva-dharmāntheir own occupational duties
  3. nado not
  4. duhyantitake advantage of
  5. dhīrāḥintelligent
  6. kāmasense gratification
  7. arthaeconomic development
  8. hetavefor the sake of
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”, “attachment”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “duties”, “duty”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.32

    In this verse: “purified”

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 would my attitude toward today’s duties change if I worked for Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction?

Practice

Choose one duty today and perform it carefully with the intention of satisfying Kṛṣṇa rather than gaining personal praise.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerform Your Duties for Kṛṣṇa’s SatisfactionThis 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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