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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.113.7.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.12

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

स वै निवृत्तिधर्मेण वासुदेवानुकम्पया ।

भगवद्भक्तियोगेन तिरोधत्ते शनैरिह ॥ १२ ॥

sa vai nivṛtti-dharmeṇa

vāsudevānukampayā

bhagavad-bhakti-yogena

tirodhatte śanair iha

Translation

But that misconception of self-identity can be diminished gradually by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, through the process of devotional service to the Lord in the mode of detachment.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Restores Spiritual Identity

  1. 1

    Misidentification with matter gradually diminishes through devotional service and the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva. This service revives our normal spiritual condition.

  2. 2

    Devotional service brings pure knowledge and detachment from the material conception of life. Seeking knowledge without serving the Lord is fruitless labor.

  3. 3

    The Lord’s mercy is realized through association with pure devotees. They are free from material desires, including desires for the results of fruitive activities and philosophical speculation.

Key points from the purport
  • The quivering quality of material existence, which comes from identification with matter or from thinking oneself, under the material influence of philosophical speculation, to be God, can be eradicated by devotional service to the Lord, by the mercy of the Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva.
  • As discussed in the First Canto, because the application of devotional service to Lord Vāsudeva invites pure knowledge, it quickly detaches one from the material conception of life and thus revives one’s normal condition of spiritual existence, even in this life, and frees one from the material winds which cause one to quiver.
  • Lord Vāsudeva is pleased by devotional service only, and thus His mercy is realized by association with pure devotees of the Lord.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥthat
  2. vaialso
  3. nivṛttidetachment
  4. dharmeṇaby engagement
  5. vāsudevathe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  6. anukampayāby the mercy of
  7. bhagavatin relation with the Personality of Godhead
  8. bhakti-yogenaby linking up
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 3.7

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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “detachment”, “free from”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 3.7

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophical”

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

Am I seeking knowledge mainly to know more, or to serve the Lord better?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today hearing or reading a pure devotee’s teachings with the intention of improving your devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Restores Spiritual IdentityThis 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 3.7.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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