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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 7 · Chapter 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes
7.12.29-307.13.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.12.31

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.12.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

इत्यक्षरतयात्मानं चिन्मात्रमवशेषितम् ।

ज्ञात्वाद्वयोऽथ विरमेद् दग्धयोनिरिवानल: ॥ ३१ ॥

ity akṣaratayātmānaṁ

cin-mātram avaśeṣitam

jñātvādvayo ’tha viramed

dagdha-yonir ivānalaḥ

Translation

When all the material designations have thus merged into their respective material elements, the living beings, who are all ultimately completely spiritual, being one in quality with the Supreme Being, should cease from material existence, as flames cease when the wood in which they are burning is consumed. When the material body is returned to its various material elements, only the spiritual being remains. This spiritual being is Brahman and is equal in quality with Parabrahman.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Spiritual Being Remains

  1. 1

    When material designations merge into their respective elements, the spiritual living being remains.

  2. 2

    The living being is completely spiritual and one in quality with the Supreme Being. The verse describes this spiritual being as Brahman, equal in quality with Parabrahman.

  3. 3

    Material existence should cease as flames cease when their wood is consumed. The return of the body to its elements does not mean the loss of the spiritual being.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Seventh Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes.”

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

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: The Perfect Society: Four Spiritual Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He should wear tree bark, accept a daṇḍa, and practice life in the forest, taking a vow to live there for twelve years, eight years, four years, two years or at least one year. At last, when because of old age he can no longer perform the activities of a vānaprastha, he should gradually stop everything and in this way give up his body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. itithus
  2. akṣaratayābecause of being spiritual
  3. ātmānamoneself (the individual soul)
  4. cit-mātramcompletely spiritual
  5. avaśeṣitamthe remaining balance (after the material elements are merged, one after another, into the original Supersoul)
  6. jñātvāunderstanding
  7. advayaḥwithout differentiation, or of the same quality as the Paramātmā
  8. athathus
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 7.12

    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 knowing that the spiritual being remains change my view of bodily identity?

Practice

Reflect for one minute on the distinction between the body that returns to its elements and the spiritual being that remains.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Spiritual Being RemainsThis 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 7.12.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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