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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
3.33.333.33.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.34

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
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

सिद्धचारणगन्धर्वैर्मुनिभिश्चाप्सरोगणै: ।

स्तूयमान: समुद्रेण दत्तार्हणनिकेतन: ॥ ३४ ॥

siddha-cāraṇa-gandharvair

munibhiś cāpsaro-gaṇaiḥ

stūyamānaḥ samudreṇa

dattārhaṇa-niketanaḥ

Translation

While He was passing in the northern direction, all the celestial denizens known as Cāraṇas and Gandharvas, as well as the munis and the damsels of the heavenly planets, prayed and offered Him all respects. The ocean offered Him oblations and a place of residence.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Kapiladeva and His Authentic Teaching

  1. 1

    As Kapila traveled north, celestial denizens, munis and heavenly damsels offered prayers and respects. The ocean offered Him oblations and a residence.

  2. 2

    Kapila Muni followed the Ganges from the Himālayas to the sea. People still gather at Gaṅgā-sāgara-tīrtha to offer Him respects.

  3. 3

    Kapiladeva is the original author of Sāṅkhya philosophy. The purport distinguishes His teaching in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the different system taught by another person named Kapila.

Key points from the purport
  • It is understood that Kapila Muni first went towards the Himālayas and traced the course of the river Ganges, and He again came to the delta of the Ganges at the sea now known as the Bay of Bengal.
  • The ocean gave Him residence at a place still known as Gaṅgā-sāgara, where the river Ganges meets the sea.
  • Unfortunately, this Sāṅkhya system has been misrepresented by an imposter who is also named Kapila, but that other system of philosophy does not tally with anything described in the Sāṅkhya of Kapila in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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. siddhaby the Siddhas
  2. cāraṇaby the Cāraṇas
  3. gandharvaiḥby the Gandharvas
  4. munibhiḥby the munis
  5. caand
  6. apsaraḥ-gaṇaiḥby the Apsarās (damsels of the heavenly planets)
  7. stūyamānaḥbeing extolled
  8. samudreṇaby the ocean
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophy”

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

Why is it important to learn Kapiladeva’s teaching from its authentic presentation?

Practice

Reread this purport’s distinction between Kapiladeva’s Sāṅkhya and the other system.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Kapiladeva and His Authentic TeachingThis 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 3.33.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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