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
3.7.103.7.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.11

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

यथा जले चन्द्रमस: कम्पादिस्तत्कृतो गुण: ।

द‍ृश्यतेऽसन्नपि द्रष्टुरात्मनोऽनात्मनो गुण: ॥ ११ ॥

yathā jale candramasaḥ

kampādis tat-kṛto guṇaḥ

dṛśyate ’sann api draṣṭur

ātmano ’nātmano guṇaḥ

Translation

As the moon reflected on water appears to the seer to tremble due to being associated with the quality of the water, so the self associated with matter appears to be qualified as matter.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Material Distress Does Not Define the Soul

  1. 1

    The Lord is compared to the moon in the sky, and living entities to its reflection on water. The water trembles, but the original moon remains untouched.

  2. 2

    Through association with matter, living entities appear affected by illusion, lamentation and misery. These qualities are absent from the pure soul.

  3. 3

    Living entities are separated parts and parcels of the Lord, always connected with Him but not identical with Him. Mistaking the reflection for the original leads to misunderstanding.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead, is compared to the moon in the sky, and the living entities are compared to the reflection of the moon on water.
  • Actually, like the original moon in the sky, the moon reflected on the water should also not quiver, but because of being associated with water, the reflection appears to be quivering, although in actual fact the moon is fixed.
  • Although the light of the moon is the same everywhere, due to being differently appreciated it appears different.

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 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. yathāas
  2. jalein the water
  3. candramasaḥof the moon
  4. kampa-ādiḥquivering, etc.
  5. tat-kṛtaḥdone by the water
  6. guṇaḥquality
  7. dṛśyateit is so seen
  8. asan apiwithout existence
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “separated”, “lamentation”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “illusion”

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 might the image of the reflected moon change my understanding of distress?

Practice

When a troubling feeling arises today, recall the moon reflection and remind yourself that material distress does not define the pure soul.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMaterial Distress Does Not Define the SoulThis 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 3.7.11? 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