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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy
3.9.323.9.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.9.33

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Supreme Personality of Godheadsince 3.9.29inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

यदा रहितमात्मानं भूतेन्द्रियगुणाशयै: ।

स्वरूपेण मयोपेतं पश्यन् स्वाराज्यमृच्छति ॥ ३३ ॥

yadā rahitam ātmānaṁ

bhūtendriya-guṇāśayaiḥ

svarūpeṇa mayopetaṁ

paśyan svārājyam ṛcchati

Translation

When you are free from the conception of gross and subtle bodies and when your senses are free from all influences of the modes of material nature, you will realize your pure form in My association. At that time you will be situated in pure consciousness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our Real Form Is Loving Service

  1. 1

    The living entity’s real spiritual form is eternal service to the Supreme Lord. One whose only desire is loving service is free in any material condition.

  2. 2

    Spiritual service is freely offered through love, not forced like material servitude. Even someone who claims to serve no one in this world still serves the senses under the material modes.

  3. 3

    Devotees advance beyond freedom from material contamination into ever-developing loving service and spiritual individuality. This transcendental loving service can be practiced in devotion even here.

Key points from the purport
  • Transcendental loving service is never to be compared to the forced service of the material world.
  • In transcendental loving service, the servitor is as free as the Lord.
  • The real service, or service in svarūpa, is present in the transcendental world, in association with 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 9: Brahmā’s Prayers for Creative Energy

Brahmā prays for mercy and creative power, and the Lord instructs and blesses him.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.9
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yadāwhen
  2. rahitamfreed from
  3. ātmānamself
  4. bhūtamaterial elements
  5. indriyamaterial senses
  6. guṇa-āśayaiḥunder the influence of the material modes of nature
  7. svarūpeṇain pure existence
  8. mayāby Me
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 3.9

    In this verse: “free from”

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 can I approach service to the Lord as an expression of love rather than a burden?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and offer it willingly, with attention to love rather than obligation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur Real Form Is Loving 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 3.9.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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