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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 33: Activities of Kapila
3.33.113.33.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.33.12inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

मैत्रेय उवाच

इति प्रदर्श्य भगवान्सतीं तामात्मनो गतिम् ।

स्वमात्रा ब्रह्मवादिन्या कपिलोऽनुमतो ययौ ॥ १२ ॥

maitreya uvāca

iti pradarśya bhagavān

satīṁ tām ātmano gatim

sva-mātrā brahma-vādinyā

kapilo ’numato yayau

Translation

Śrī Maitreya said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead Kapila, after instructing His beloved mother, took permission from her and left His home, His mission having been fulfilled.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Life’s Purpose

  1. 1

    Kapila appeared to distribute transcendental Sāṅkhya philosophy, which is full of devotional service. By teaching His mother, He gave this knowledge to the world.

  2. 2

    Having fulfilled His mission, He took His mother’s permission and left home. He had no spiritual realization to acquire, for He Himself is the person to be spiritually realized.

  3. 3

    His conduct teaches lifelong cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Household life, for those unable to remain alone, is meant for this cultivation rather than sense gratification.

Key points from the purport
  • The mission of the appearance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Kapila was to distribute the transcendental knowledge of Sāṅkhya philosophy, which is full of devotional service.
  • Having imparted that knowledge to His mother — and, through His mother, to the world — Kapiladeva had no more need to stay at home, so He took permission from His mother and left.
  • Therefore this is an example set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead while acting like an ordinary human being so that others might learn from Him.

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. maitreyaḥ uvācaMaitreya said
  2. itithus
  3. pradarśyaafter instructing
  4. bhagavānthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. satīmvenerable
  6. tāmthat
  7. ātmanaḥof self-realization
  8. gatimpath
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “household”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “mother”

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 my present living situation support the cultivation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Practice

Reserve a small part of your time at home today specifically for cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMake Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Life’s PurposeThis 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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