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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
3.33.143.33.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.15

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

प्रजापते: कर्दमस्य तपोयोगविजृम्भितम् ।

स्वगार्हस्थ्यमनौपम्यं प्रार्थ्यं वैमानिकैरपि ॥ १५ ॥

prajāpateḥ kardamasya

tapo-yoga-vijṛmbhitam

sva-gārhasthyam anaupamyaṁ

prārthyaṁ vaimānikair api

Translation

The home and household paraphernalia of Kardama, who was one of the Prajāpatis, was developed in such a way, by dint of his mystic powers of austerity and yoga, that his opulence was sometimes envied by those who travel in outer space in airplanes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kardama Muni’s Extraordinary Yogic Opulence

  1. 1

    Kardama Muni’s household opulence developed through his powers of austerity and yoga. Even the denizens of heaven envied it.

  2. 2

    The purport explains that these heavenly travelers had airships capable of going from one planet to another. Their travel was unlike ordinary travel between countries.

  3. 3

    Kardama Muni traveled in an airplane like a city to see the heavenly planets. His extraordinary opulence reflected his power as a mystic yogī.

Key points from the purport
  • The statement in this verse that Kardama Muni’s household affairs were envied even by persons who travel in outer space refers to the denizens of heaven.
  • The speed of our airplanes and space vehicles is very limited, but, as we have already studied, Kardama Muni traveled in outer space in an airplane which was like a city, and he journeyed to see all the different heavenly planets.
  • Because Kardama Muni was such a powerful mystic yogī, his opulence was envied by the denizens of heaven.

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. prajā-pateḥof the progenitor of mankind
  2. kardamasyaKardama Muni
  3. tapaḥby austerity
  4. yogaby yoga
  5. vijṛmbhitamdeveloped
  6. sva-gārhasthyamhis home and household paraphernalia
  7. anaupamyamunequaled
  8. prārthyamenviable
  9. vaimānikaiḥby the denizens of heaven
  10. apieven
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

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

What does this description show about the extraordinary extent of Kardama Muni’s yogic powers?

Practice

Write one sentence summarizing the source and extent of Kardama Muni’s household opulence.

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 todayKardama Muni’s Extraordinary Yogic OpulenceThis 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 3.33.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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