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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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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.
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Canto 3 · Chapter 7: Further Inquires by Vidura
3.7.173.7.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.18

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

अर्थाभावं विनिश्चित्य प्रतीतस्यापि नात्मन: ।

तां चापि युष्मच्चरणसेवयाहं पराणुदे ॥ १८ ॥

arthābhāvaṁ viniścitya

pratītasyāpi nātmanaḥ

tāṁ cāpi yuṣmac-caraṇa-

sevayāhaṁ parāṇude

Translation

But, my dear sir, I am obliged to you because now I can understand that this material manifestation is without substance, although it appears real. I am confident that by serving your feet it will be possible for me to give up the false idea.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Service Turns Understanding Into Realization

  1. 1

    The conditioned soul’s sufferings are superficial, like seeing one’s head cut off in a dream. They do not intrinsically belong to the soul.

  2. 2

    This truth may be understood theoretically yet remain difficult for a beginner to realize practically. Intellectual agreement alone is not practical realization.

  3. 3

    Serving great transcendentalists like Maitreya Muni and constantly associating with them enables one to give up false identification with material suffering.

Key points from the purport
  • The sufferings of the conditioned soul are superficial and have no intrinsic value, like the cutting off of one’s head in a dream.
  • Yet although this statement is theoretically very true, it is very difficult for the common man or the neophyte on the transcendental path to realize practically.
  • However, by serving the feet of great transcendentalists like Maitreya Muni and by constantly associating with them, one is enabled to give up the false idea that the soul suffers from material pangs.

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. artha-abhāvamwithout substance
  2. viniścityabeing ascertained
  3. pratītasyaof the apparent values
  4. apialso
  5. nanever
  6. ātmanaḥof the self
  7. tāmthat
  8. caalso
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “give up”

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

What spiritual truth do I understand in theory but still struggle to realize?

Practice

Take one small opportunity today to assist a spiritual teacher whose guidance you receive.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayService Turns Understanding Into RealizationThis 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 3.7.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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