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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
3.33.293.33.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.30

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
A turning point forDevahūti· Absorption and realization

एवं सा कपिलोक्तेन मार्गेणाचिरत: परम् ।

आत्मानं ब्रह्मनिर्वाणं भगवन्तमवाप ह ॥ ३० ॥

evaṁ sā kapiloktena

mārgeṇācirataḥ param

ātmānaṁ brahma-nirvāṇaṁ

bhagavantam avāpa ha

Translation

My dear Vidura, by following the principles instructed by Kapila, Devahūti soon became liberated from material bondage and achieved the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Supersoul, without difficulty.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Realizing the Supreme Person Is Highest Perfection

  1. 1

    By following Kapila’s instructions, Devahūti soon became free from material bondage and achieved the Supreme Personality of Godhead without difficulty.

  2. 2

    Brahma-nirvāṇa means freedom from the pains of material existence, and ātmānam refers to realizing the Supersoul within the heart. The highest perfection is realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    The Lord has innumerable expansions and Vaikuṇṭha planets. Devahūti entered Kapila Vaikuṇṭha to reside eternally with her transcendental son.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Personality of Godhead resides in various Vaikuṇṭha planets.
  • Ātmānam means realization of the Supersoul within the heart.
  • Ultimately, the highest perfection is realization of the Supreme 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. evamthus
  2. sāshe (Devahūti)
  3. kapilaby Kapila
  4. uktenainstructed
  5. mārgeṇaby the path
  6. acirataḥsoon
  7. paramsupreme
  8. ātmānamSupersoul
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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: “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “free from”

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 seeking only relief from suffering, or realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Write one sentence identifying realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as your spiritual aim.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRealizing the Supreme Person Is 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.33.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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