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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
3.33.24-253.33.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.26

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

ब्रह्मण्यवस्थितमतिर्भगवत्यात्मसंश्रये ।

निवृत्तजीवापत्तित्वात्क्षीणक्लेशाप्तनिर्वृति: ॥ २६ ॥

brahmaṇy avasthita-matir

bhagavaty ātma-saṁśraye

nivṛtta-jīvāpattitvāt

kṣīṇa-kleśāpta-nirvṛtiḥ

Translation

Her mind became completely engaged in the Supreme Lord, and she automatically realized the knowledge of the impersonal Brahman. As a Brahman-realized soul, she was freed from the designations of the materialistic concept of life. Thus all material pangs disappeared, and she attained transcendental bliss.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is the Highest Perfection

  1. 1

    Knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead includes knowledge of impersonal Brahman and the localized Supersoul. One engaged in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is understood to have already realized Brahman.

  2. 2

    Bodily activities should be regulated to keep the body fit, with spiritual advancement rather than sense gratification as the goal. The soul’s engagement in spiritual life is the primary necessity.

  3. 3

    Devahūti lovingly meditated on the Lord’s form according to Kapiladeva’s instructions. The real purpose of all processes of transcendental realization is to reach devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore if one is situated in knowledge of the Supreme Person, this implies that one is already situated in the concept of the Supersoul and impersonal Brahman.
  • One who is engaged in devotional service to Kṛṣṇa is understood to be already realized in the Brahman concept of life because transcendental knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead includes knowledge of Brahman.
  • By taking shelter of the Supreme Being by the process of devotional service, one becomes fully situated in the concept of the Personality of Godhead.

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. brahmaṇiin Brahman
  2. avasthitasituated
  3. matiḥher mind
  4. bhagavatiin the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. ātma-saṁśrayeresiding in all living entities
  6. nivṛttafreed
  7. jīvaof the jīva soul
  8. āpattitvātfrom the unfortunate condition
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialistic”, “sense gratification”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Do my daily habits support devotional service as my primary purpose?

Practice

Choose one regular time today for loving meditation on the Supreme Lord, while allowing for your bodily necessities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Is the Highest PerfectionThis 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.

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