1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233

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 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.463.5.48

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.47

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The demigodssince 3.5.39inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

तथापरे चात्मसमाधियोग-

बलेन जित्वा प्रकृतिं बलिष्ठाम् ।

त्वामेव धीरा: पुरुषं विशन्ति

तेषां श्रम: स्यान्न तु सेवया ते ॥ ४७ ॥

tathāpare cātma-samādhi-yoga-

balena jitvā prakṛtiṁ baliṣṭhām

tvām eva dhīrāḥ puruṣaṁ viśanti

teṣāṁ śramaḥ syān na tu sevayā te

Translation

Others, who are pacified by means of transcendental self-realization and have conquered over the modes of nature by dint of strong power and knowledge, also enter into You, but for them there is much pain, whereas the devotee simply discharges devotional service and thus feels no such pain.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Preserves Our Personal Relationship

  1. 1

    Devotional service involves labor, but that labor is compensated by increasing transcendental pleasure. Devotees find greater pleasure in continuous service than in having no such engagement.

  2. 2

    Impersonalists seek to end their individuality by merging into oneness. Devotees retain their individuality to exchange feelings with the supreme individual Lord.

  3. 3

    Devotees attain liberation automatically while continuing the pleasure of personal service. Their destination is Vaikuṇṭha, where anxieties are completely removed.

Key points from the purport
  • One may suggest that there is sufficient labor for the devotees also in the matter of discharging devotional service.
  • The devotees derive more transcendental pleasure while engaged continuously in the service of the Lord than when they have no such engagement.
  • One should not mistake the destination of the devotees and that of the impersonalists to be one and the same.

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

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya

Vidura meets Maitreya, who begins explaining the Lord’s activities and the unfolding of material creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāas far as
  2. apareothers
  3. caalso
  4. ātma-samādhitranscendental self-realization
  5. yogameans
  6. balenaby the strength of
  7. jitvāconquering
  8. prakṛtimacquired nature or modes of nature
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “knowledge”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How might viewing service as a loving exchange change my attitude toward its effort?

Practice

Spend a few minutes reading about the Lord as an act of service, giving attention to the relationship rather than the effort.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Service Preserves Our Personal RelationshipThis 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 3.5.47? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories