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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
3.33.133.33.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.14

Mukti· Liberation
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

अभीक्ष्णावगाहकपिशान्जटिलान्कुटिलालकान् ।

आत्मानं चोग्रतपसा बिभ्रती चीरिणं कृशम् ॥ १४ ॥

abhīkṣṇāvagāha-kapiśān

jaṭilān kuṭilālakān

ātmānaṁ cogra-tapasā

bibhratī cīriṇaṁ kṛśam

Translation

She began to bathe three times daily, and thus her curling black hair gradually became gray. Due to austerity, her body gradually became thin, and she wore old garments.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Simplicity and Discipline Support Spiritual Practice

  1. 1

    Devahūti bathed three times daily, wore old garments and practiced austerity. Her body gradually became thin through her severe discipline.

  2. 2

    Although she had lived in great comfort, she had already learned austerity during her husband’s presence. This preparation made an austere life easier for her.

  3. 3

    The purport warns against excessive eating, sleeping and attachment to comfort. Voluntarily accepting some difficulty is part of the discipline of yoga, including bhakti-yoga.

Key points from the purport
  • It is the practice of the yogī, brahmacārī, vānaprastha and sannyāsī to bathe at least three times daily — early in the morning, during noontime and in the evening.
  • Still, because her body underwent severe austerity after the departure of her husband and son, she became thin.
  • Rather, one should reduce because if one becomes fat it is an impediment to progress in spiritual understanding.

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. abhīkṣṇaagain and again
  2. avagāhaby bathing
  3. kapiśāngray
  4. jaṭilānmatted
  5. kuṭilacurled
  6. alakānhair
  7. ātmānamher body
  8. caand
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

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

Which attachment to unnecessary comfort makes spiritual discipline harder for me?

Practice

Keep one part of your day simple today, such as wearing a plain garment rather than spending extra time on appearance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.33's connections

Live this todaySimplicity and Discipline Support Spiritual PracticeThis 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 3.33.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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