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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
3.33.263.33.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.27

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

नित्यारूढसमाधित्वात्परावृत्तगुणभ्रमा ।

न सस्मार तदात्मानं स्वप्ने द‍ृष्टमिवोत्थित: ॥ २७ ॥

nityārūḍha-samādhitvāt

parāvṛtta-guṇa-bhramā

na sasmāra tadātmānaṁ

svapne dṛṣṭam ivotthitaḥ

Translation

Situated in eternal trance and freed from illusion impelled by the modes of material nature, she forgot her material body, just as one forgets his different bodies in a dream.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Eternal Service Beyond Bodily Identity

  1. 1

    Devahūti was freed from illusion caused by the modes of material nature. She forgot her material body as an awakened person forgets bodies experienced in a dream.

  2. 2

    Actual forgetfulness of material existence comes through engaging the senses in the Lord’s loving service. One realizes oneself to be an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord and works for Kṛṣṇa rather than sense gratification.

  3. 3

    Constant remembrance of the Supreme Lord is called samādhi, or trance. Such remembrance brings transcendental happiness and freedom from the material modes and repeated birth.

Key points from the purport
  • A great Vaiṣṇava said that he who has no remembrance of his body is not bound to material existence.
  • As long as we are conscious of our bodily existence, it is to be understood that we are living conditionally, under the three modes of material nature.
  • But when one forgets all such membership in material circumstances and realizes that he is an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord, that is actual forgetfulness of material existence.

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. nityaeternal
  2. ārūḍhasituated in
  3. samādhitvātfrom trance
  4. parāvṛttafreed from
  5. guṇaof the modes of material nature
  6. bhramāillusion
  7. na sasmārashe did not remember
  8. tadāthen
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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: “illusion”, “material”, “sense gratification”

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 would remembering that I am Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant change my purpose today?

Practice

Before one act of devotional service today, pause and remember: “I am an eternal servant of the Supreme Lord.”

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEternal Service Beyond Bodily IdentityThis 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 3.33.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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