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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
3.33.193.33.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.20

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

हित्वा तदीप्सिततममप्याखण्डलयोषिताम् ।

किञ्चिच्चकार वदनं पुत्रविश्लेषणातुरा ॥ २० ॥

hitvā tad īpsitatamam

apy ākhaṇḍala-yoṣitām

kiñcic cakāra vadanaṁ

putra-viśleṣaṇāturā

Translation

Although her position was unique from all points of view, saintly Devahūti, in spite of all her possessions, which were envied even by the ladies of the heavenly planets, gave up all such comforts. She was only sorry that her great son was separated from her.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Attachment Makes Renunciation Possible

  1. 1

    Devahūti gave up comforts envied even by the ladies of the heavenly planets. She felt no sorrow over losing these possessions.

  2. 2

    Her sorrow was separation from her son, who was not an ordinary son but the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Material attachment can be given up when attachment develops for the Supreme Person. A taste for spiritual existence makes the materialistic way of life less attractive.

Key points from the purport
  • Devahūti was not at all sorry at giving up her material comforts, but she was very much aggrieved at the separation of her son.
  • One can give up material attachment, therefore, only when one has attachment for the Supreme Person.
  • Only when one actually has some taste for spiritual existence can he be reluctant to follow the materialistic way of life.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. hitvāhaving given up
  2. tatthat household
  3. īpsita-tamammost desirable
  4. apieven
  5. ākhaṇḍala-yoṣitāmby the wives of Lord Indra
  6. kiñcit cakāra vadanamshe wore a sorry look on her face
  7. putra-viśleṣaṇaby separation from her son
  8. āturāafflicted
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “separated”, “separation”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “gave up”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

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

Am I cultivating attachment to the Supreme Person, rather than merely trying to give things up?

Practice

Set aside one optional comfort briefly today and use that time to remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Attachment Makes Renunciation PossibleThis 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 3.33.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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