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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
3.7.293.7.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.30

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यज्ञस्य च वितानानि योगस्य च पथ: प्रभो ।

नैष्कर्म्यस्य च सांख्यस्य तन्त्रं वा भगवत्स्मृतम् ॥ ३० ॥

yajñasya ca vitānāni

yogasya ca pathaḥ prabho

naiṣkarmyasya ca sāṅkhyasya

tantraṁ vā bhagavat-smṛtam

Translation

Please also describe the expansions of different sacrifices and the paths of mystic powers, analytical study of knowledge, and devotional service, all with their respective regulations.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Advance Through Regulated Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Here tantram means the science of devotional service compiled by Śrīla Nārada Muni, not a materialistic practice for sense gratification.

  2. 2

    The regulative explanations of devotional service help one make progressive advancement in serving the Lord.

  3. 3

    The Sāṅkhya philosophy taught by Kapiladeva, the son of Devahūti, is the real source of knowledge about the Supreme Truth. The purport describes knowledge not based on it as mental speculation without tangible profit.

Key points from the purport
  • Sāṅkhya philosophy is the basic principle of acquiring knowledge, as will be explained by the sage Maitreya.
  • The Sāṅkhya philosophy enunciated by Kapiladeva, the son of Devahūti, is the real source of knowledge about the Supreme Truth.
  • Knowledge not based on the Sāṅkhya philosophy is mental speculation and can yield no tangible profit.

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. yajñasyaof sacrifices
  2. caalso
  3. vitānāniexpansions
  4. yogasyaof the mystic powers
  5. caalso
  6. pathaḥways
  7. prabhoO my lord
  8. naiṣkarmyasyaof knowledge
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophy”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “materialistic”

  • 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

Am I willing to learn the regulations of devotional service rather than rely on speculation?

Practice

Reread the explanation of tantram and write one sentence about how guidance helps devotional service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 3.7's connections

Live this todayAdvance Through Regulated Devotional ServiceThis 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 3.7.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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