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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
3.33.203.33.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.21

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

वनं प्रव्रजिते पत्यावपत्यविरहातुरा ।

ज्ञाततत्त्वाप्यभून्नष्टे वत्से गौरिव वत्सला ॥ २१ ॥

vanaṁ pravrajite patyāv

apatya-virahāturā

jñāta-tattvāpy abhūn naṣṭe

vatse gaur iva vatsalā

Translation

Devahūti’s husband had already left home and accepted the renounced order of life, and then her only son, Kapila, left home. Although she knew all the truths of life and death, and although her heart was cleansed of all dirt, she was very aggrieved at the loss of her son, just as a cow is affected when her calf dies.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Love Directed Toward the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Although Devahūti knew the truths of life and death and had a purified heart, she deeply grieved when Kapila departed.

  2. 2

    Her grief arose from sincere love for the Personality of Godhead, not from her worldly relationship with Kardama Muni. Her affection was compared to that of a cow bereft of her calf.

  3. 3

    Attachment to a material son binds one to material existence. The same attachment transferred to the Supreme Lord brings elevation to the spiritual world in His association.

Key points from the purport
  • A woman whose husband is away from home or has taken the renounced order of life should not be very sorry, because she still has the presence of her husband’s representative, her son.
  • Every woman can qualify herself as much as Devahūti and then can also have the Supreme Godhead as her son.
  • If the Supreme Personality of Godhead can appear as the son of Devahūti, He can also appear as the son of any other woman, provided that woman is qualified.

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. vanamto the forest
  2. pravrajite patyauwhen her husband left home
  3. apatya-virahaby separation from her son
  4. āturāvery sorry
  5. jñāta-tattvāknowing the truth
  6. apialthough
  7. abhūtshe became
  8. naṣṭe vatsewhen her calf is lost
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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “cleansed”, “purified”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “renounced”

  • 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

How does Devahūti’s grief help me distinguish spiritual affection from material attachment?

Practice

Spend a quiet minute expressing your wish for the Supreme Lord’s association.

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 todayLove Directed Toward the Supreme LordThis 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 3.33.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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