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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
3.33.213.33.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.22

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

तमेव ध्यायती देवमपत्यं कपिलं हरिम् ।

बभूवाचिरतो वत्स नि:स्पृहा ताद‍ृशे गृहे ॥ २२ ॥

tam eva dhyāyatī devam

apatyaṁ kapilaṁ harim

babhūvācirato vatsa

niḥspṛhā tādṛśe gṛhe

Translation

O Vidura, thus always meditating upon her son, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kapiladeva, she very soon became unattached to her nicely decorated home.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remembering Kṛṣṇa Frees the Heart

  1. 1

    Kapiladeva is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By constantly thinking of Him, Devahūti became detached from her beautifully decorated home.

  2. 2

    Freedom from material attachment requires transferring attachment to the Supreme Lord. Philosophical speculation or merely knowing oneself to be spirit does not replace transcendental loving service.

  3. 3

    Devotees hear about the Lord, glorify His activities, remember His eternal form and offer Him service. Pure devotional service enables one to understand Him and enter His association.

Key points from the purport
  • After Kapiladeva left home, Devahūti was absorbed in thought of Him, and thus she was always Kṛṣṇa conscious.
  • Unless we are able to transfer our attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no possibility of becoming freed from material attachment.
  • As it is said in Bhagavad-gītā, tato māṁ tattvato jñātvā: after discharging pure devotional service, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead in fact, and thus one becomes eligible to enter into His association in one of the spiritual planets.

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. tamupon Him
  2. evacertainly
  3. dhyāyatīmeditating
  4. devamdivine
  5. apatyamson
  6. kapilamLord Kapila
  7. harimthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. babhūvabecame
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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: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophical”, “understand”

  • 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.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which devotional activity can help me turn my attachment toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing or reading about the Supreme Lord, then recall one of His activities.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering Kṛṣṇa Frees the HeartThis 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 3.33.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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