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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 33: Activities of Kapila
3.33.93.33.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Personality of Godheadsince 3.33.10inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

कपिल उवाच

मार्गेणानेन मातस्ते सुसेव्येनोदितेन मे ।

आस्थितेन परां काष्ठामचिरादवरोत्स्यसि ॥ १० ॥

kapila uvāca

mārgeṇānena mātas te

susevyenoditena me

āsthitena parāṁ kāṣṭhām

acirād avarotsyasi

Translation

The Personality of Godhead said: My dear mother, the path of self-realization which I have already instructed to you is very easy. You can execute this system without difficulty, and by following it you shall very soon be liberated, even within your present body.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Liberation Means Serving the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Devotional service can free one from māyā even within the present body. This requires firm faith in the bona fide spiritual master’s instructions and faithful practice of the rules and regulations.

  2. 2

    One whose only aim is serving the Supreme Lord under the spiritual master’s direction is called jīvan-mukta, liberated while still embodied. Bodily necessities do not disprove that liberation.

  3. 3

    Our real identity is to be eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa. Liberation is recognized through full engagement in devotional service, not through outward bodily symptoms.

Key points from the purport
  • Devotional service is so perfect that simply by following the rules and regulations and executing them under the direction of the spiritual master, one is liberated, as it is said herein, from the clutches of māyā, even in this body.
  • But in the discharge of devotional service, if one has unflinching faith in the instruction of the bona fide spiritual master and follows the rules and regulations, he is sure to be liberated, even within this present body.
  • Īhā yasya harer dāsye: regardless of where he is situated, anyone whose only aim is to serve the Supreme Lord under the direction of the spiritual master is called jīvan-mukta, or one who is liberated even with his material body.

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 33: Activities of Kapila

Devahūti follows Kapila’s instructions and attains liberation; Kapila travels onward and receives prayers and offerings.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.33
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kapilaḥ uvācaLord Kapila said
  2. mārgeṇaby the path
  3. anenathis
  4. mātaḥMy dear mother
  5. tefor you
  6. su-sevyenavery easy to execute
  7. uditenainstructed
  8. meby Me
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “māyā”

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

Do I think of spiritual progress mainly in outward terms, or in terms of service?

Practice

Before one devotional activity today, consciously remember that your purpose is to serve Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLiberation Means Serving the Supreme LordThis 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 3.33.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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