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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.93.7.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.10

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Maitreya Ṛṣisince 3.7.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यदर्थेन विनामुष्य पुंस आत्मविपर्यय: ।

प्रतीयत उपद्रष्टु: स्वशिरश्छेदनादिक: ॥ १० ॥

yad arthena vināmuṣya

puṁsa ātma-viparyayaḥ

pratīyata upadraṣṭuḥ

sva-śiraś chedanādikaḥ

Translation

The living entity is in distress regarding his self-identity. He has no factual background, like a man who dreams that he sees his head cut off.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our Natural Position Is Service

  1. 1

    The soul’s disturbed self-identification is compared to seeing one’s own head cut off in a dream. Such misery does not belong to the soul’s pure condition.

  2. 2

    The living entity is eternally subordinate to the Supreme Lord. Trying to rule material nature or become one with the Lord is an illusion.

  3. 3

    Even in conditioned life, the living entity remains a servant, but serves māyā instead of the Lord. The best course is to surrender to the Lord and return to devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Life after life the living entity falsely tries to lord it over material nature and become the lord of the material world, but there is no tangible result.
  • Similarly a living entity is eternally subordinate to the Supreme Lord, and he has this knowledge with him, but, artificially, he thinks that he is God himself and that although he is God he has lost his knowledge due to māyā.
  • The conclusion is that a living entity deprived of eternal transcendental service to the Lord becomes illusioned in many ways.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 3.7.10 quotesBG 7.14

The best course, therefore, is to surrender unto the Lord and thus get rid of the illusory māyā for good, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14):

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 7: Further Inquires by Vidura

Vidura asks about illusion, the soul, creation, religious duties, and the relationship between teacher and disciple.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatthus
  2. arthenaa purpose or meaning
  3. vināwithout
  4. amuṣyaof such a one
  5. puṁsaḥof the living entity
  6. ātma-viparyayaḥupset about self-identification
  7. pratīyateso appear
  8. upadraṣṭuḥof the superficial onlooker
  9. sva-śiraḥown head
  10. chedana-ādikaḥcutting off
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 3.7

    In this verse: “illusion”, “māyā”, “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “distress”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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 I notice the desire to be the master rather than the Lord’s servant?

Practice

Pause before one activity today and prayerfully offer to do it as a servant of the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur Natural Position Is ServiceOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 3.7.10? 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