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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
3.33.103.33.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.11

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

श्रद्धत्स्वैतन्मतं मह्यं जुष्टं यद्ब्रह्मवादिभि: ।

येन मामभयं याया मृत्युमृच्छन्त्यतद्विद: ॥ ११ ॥

śraddhatsvaitan mataṁ mahyaṁ

juṣṭaṁ yad brahma-vādibhiḥ

yena mām abhayaṁ yāyā

mṛtyum ṛcchanty atad-vidaḥ

Translation

My dear mother, those who are actually transcendentalists certainly follow My instructions as I have given them to you. You may rest assured that if you traverse this path of self-realization perfectly, surely you shall be freed from fearful material contamination and shall ultimately reach Me. Mother, persons who are not conversant with this method of devotional service certainly cannot get out of the cycle of birth and death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Leads Beyond Fear

  1. 1

    Material existence is full of anxiety and therefore fearful. Freedom from material existence brings freedom from anxiety and fear.

  2. 2

    Lord Kapila assures His mother that faithfully following His path of devotional service will free her from material contamination. Ultimately, she will reach Him.

  3. 3

    Actual transcendentalists follow the Lord’s instructions. Those unfamiliar with this method of devotional service cannot escape the cycle of birth and death.

Key points from the purport
  • Material existence is full of anxiety, and therefore it is fearful.
  • One who gets out of this material existence automatically becomes free from all anxieties and fear.
  • One who follows the path of devotional service enunciated by Lord Kapila is very easily liberated.

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. śraddhatsvayou may rest assured
  2. etatabout this
  3. mataminstruction
  4. mahyamMy
  5. juṣṭamfollowed
  6. yatwhich
  7. brahma-vādibhiḥby transcendentalists
  8. yenaby which
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “fearful”, “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “contamination”

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 does Lord Kapila’s assurance strengthen my willingness to follow His instructions?

Practice

Read Lord Kapila’s assurance again today and spend a minute reflecting on the goal of reaching Him through devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Leads Beyond FearThis 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 3.33.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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