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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
3.33.43.33.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.33.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Devahūtisince 3.33.2inside 4 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → ViduraLord Kapila → Devahūti

त्वं देहतन्त्र: प्रशमाय पाप्मनां

निदेशभाजां च विभो विभूतये ।

यथावतारास्तव सूकरादयस्

तथायमप्यात्मपथोपलब्धये ॥ ५ ॥

tvaṁ deha-tantraḥ praśamāya pāpmanāṁ

nideśa-bhājāṁ ca vibho vibhūtaye

yathāvatārās tava sūkarādayas

tathāyam apy ātma-pathopalabdhaye

Translation

My dear Lord, You have assumed this body in order to diminish the sinful activities of the fallen and to enrich their knowledge in devotion and liberation. Since these sinful people are dependent on Your direction, by Your own will You assume incarnations as a boar and as other forms. Similarly, You have appeared in order to distribute transcendental knowledge to Your dependents.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kapila Appears to Guide Fallen Souls

  1. 1

    Living entities become conditioned through their desire to lord it over material nature. As they become degraded, they need enlightenment.

  2. 2

    The Lord appears when there are discrepancies in fulfilling the real purpose of material existence. He assumes His incarnations by His own will.

  3. 3

    Lord Kapiladeva is an incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He gives misguided souls transcendental knowledge and devotion so that they may go back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • In the previous verses, the general transcendental qualifications of the Supreme Personality of Godhead were described.
  • Lord Kapiladeva is also one of the incarnations of Godhead.
  • It is accepted herein that Lord Kapiladeva appeared on the surface of the earth to give transcendental knowledge to the misguided conditioned souls.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamYou
  2. dehathis body
  3. tantraḥhave assumed
  4. praśamāyafor the diminution
  5. pāpmanāmof sinful activities
  6. nideśa-bhājāmof instructions in devotion
  7. caand
  8. vibhoO my Lord
3

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 3.33

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Where do you feel a need for the Lord’s direction rather than your own desire to control?

Practice

Read this translation slowly, then offer a short prayer asking for guidance in knowledge and devotion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKapila Appears to Guide Fallen SoulsThis 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 3.33.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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