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
3.7.303.7.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.7.31

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.7.15inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

पाषण्डपथवैषम्यं प्रतिलोमनिवेशनम् ।

जीवस्य गतयो याश्च यावतीर्गुणकर्मजा: ॥ ३१ ॥

pāṣaṇḍa-patha-vaiṣamyaṁ

pratiloma-niveśanam

jīvasya gatayo yāś ca

yāvatīr guṇa-karmajāḥ

Translation

Please also describe the imperfections and contradictions of the faithless atheists, the situation of crossbreeding, and the movements of the living entities in various species of life according to their particular modes of nature and work.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Modes and Work Shape Material Life

  1. 1

    The verse asks about the imperfections and contradictions of faithless atheistic paths. The purport explains that these philosophies deny God's existence and do not agree with one another.

  2. 2

    The purport calls the combination of living entities in different modes of material nature crossbreeding.

  3. 3

    Different species of life show varieties of mixtures of the modes of material nature. The verse asks how living entities move among species according to their modes and work.

Key points from the purport
  • The combination of living entities in different modes of material nature is called crossbreeding.
  • The faithless atheists do not believe in the existence of God, and thus their paths of philosophy are contradictory.
  • Different species of life are evidence of varieties of mixtures of the modes of material nature.

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. pāṣaṇḍa-pathathe path of the faithless
  2. vaiṣamyamimperfection by contradiction
  3. pratilomacrossbreeding
  4. niveśanamsituation
  5. jīvasyaof the living entities
  6. gatayaḥmovements
  7. yāḥas they are
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophies”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 does this teaching invite me to consider the influence of material nature on my actions?

Practice

Notice one action today and briefly reflect on the material tendencies influencing it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayModes and Work Shape Material LifeThis 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 3.7.31? 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