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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
3.33.313.33.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.32

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

तस्यास्तद्योगविधुतमार्त्यं मर्त्यमभूत्सरित् ।

स्रोतसां प्रवरा सौम्य सिद्धिदा सिद्धसेविता ॥ ३२ ॥

tasyās tad yoga-vidhuta-

mārtyaṁ martyam abhūt sarit

srotasāṁ pravarā saumya

siddhidā siddha-sevitā

Translation

Dear Vidura, the material elements of her body have melted into water and are now a flowing river, which is the most sacred of all rivers. Anyone who bathes in that river also attains perfection, and therefore all persons who desire perfection go bathe there.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Sacred River Confers Perfection

  1. 1

    The material elements of Devahūti’s body melted into water and became a flowing river.

  2. 2

    The river is described as the most sacred of all rivers.

  3. 3

    Anyone who bathes in that river attains perfection. For this reason, those who desire perfection go there to bathe.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyāḥof Devahūti
  2. tatthat
  3. yogaby yoga practice
  4. vidhutarelinquished
  5. mārtyammaterial elements
  6. martyamher mortal body
  7. abhūtbecame
  8. sarita river
3

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”

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 important is the desire for spiritual perfection in my life?

Practice

Pause over the words “desire perfection” and write a brief statement of your own spiritual aspiration.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Sacred River Confers 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 3.33.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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