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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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
7.15.617.15.63

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.62

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.15.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

भावाद्वैतं क्रियाद्वैतं द्रव्याद्वैतं तथात्मन: ।

वर्तयन्स्वानुभूत्येह त्रीन्स्वप्नान्धुनुते मुनि: ॥ ६२ ॥

bhāvādvaitaṁ kriyādvaitaṁ

dravyādvaitaṁ tathātmanaḥ

vartayan svānubhūtyeha

trīn svapnān dhunute muniḥ

Translation

After considering the oneness of existence, activity and paraphernalia and after realizing the self to be different from all actions and reactions, the mental speculator [muni], according to his own realization, gives up the three states of wakefulness, dreaming and sleep.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Go Beyond Material Philosophical Conceptions

  1. 1

    The philosopher considers oneness in existence, activities and paraphernalia. These conceptions are called bhāvādvaita, kriyādvaita and dravyādvaita.

  2. 2

    Realizing the self to be different from actions and reactions, the philosopher gives up the three states of wakefulness, dreaming and sleep according to his realization.

  3. 3

    Perfection requires going beyond philosophical nonduality within the material world. One must come to the actual life of reality in the spiritual world.

Key points from the purport
  • The three words bhāvādvaita, kriyādvaita and dravyādvaita are explained in the following verses.
  • However, one has to give up all the nonduality of philosophical life in the material world and come to the actual life of reality in the spiritual world in order to attain perfection.

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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

One must conquer lusty desires, anger, greed, fear, lamentation, illusion, fright, unnecessary talks on material subjects, violence, the four miseries of material existence, and the three material qualities. That is the objective of human life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhāva-advaitamoneness in one’s conception of life
  2. kriyā-advaitamoneness in activities
  3. dravya-advaitamoneness in different paraphernalia
  4. tathāas well as
  5. ātmanaḥof the soul
  6. vartayanconsidering
  7. svaone’s own
  8. anubhūtyāaccording to realization
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 7.15

    In this verse: “philosopher”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.15

    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

Am I treating philosophical understanding as the final goal rather than seeking spiritual reality?

Practice

Spend a minute reflecting on the distinction between the self and the actions and reactions you experienced today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGo Beyond Material Philosophical ConceptionsThis 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 7.15.62? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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