Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 3 · Chapter 29

Explanation of Devotional Service by Lord Kapila

3.29.1-2

देवहूतिरुवाच लक्षणं महदादीनां प्रकृते: पुरुषस्य च । स्वरूपं लक्ष्यतेऽमीषां येन तत्पारमार्थिकम् ॥ १ ॥ यथा साङ्ख्येषु कथितं यन्मूलं तत्प्रचक्षते । भक्तियोगस्य मे मार्गं ब्रूहि विस्तरश: प्रभो ॥ २ ॥

devahutir uvaca laksanam mahad-adinam prakrteh purusasya ca svarupam laksyate ’misam yena tat-paramarthikam yatha sankhyesu kathitam yan-mulam tat pracaksate bhakti-yogasya me margam bruhi vistarasah prabho

Devahuti inquired: My dear Lord, You have already very scientifically described the symptoms of the total material nature and the characteristics of the spirit according to the Sankhya system of philosophy. Now I shall request You to explain the path of devotional service, which is the ultimate end of all philosophical systems.

3.29.3

विरागो येन पुरुषो भगवन्सर्वतो भवेत् । आचक्ष्व जीवलोकस्य विविधा मम संसृती: ॥ ३ ॥

virago yena puruso bhagavan sarvato bhavet acaksva jiva-lokasya vividha mama samsrtih

Devahuti continued: My dear Lord, please also describe in detail, both for me and for people in general, the continual process of birth and death, for by hearing of such calamities we may become detached from the activities of this material world.

3.29.4

कालस्येश्वररूपस्य परेषां च परस्य ते । स्वरूपं बत कुर्वन्ति यद्धेतो: कुशलं जना: ॥ ४ ॥

kalasyesvara-rupasya paresam ca parasya te svarupam bata kurvanti yad-dhetoh kusalam janah

Please also describe eternal time, which is a representation of Your form and by whose influence people in general engage in the performance of pious activities.

3.29.5

लोकस्य मिथ्याभिमतेरचक्षुष- श्चिरं प्रसुप्तस्य तमस्यनाश्रये । श्रान्तस्य कर्मस्वनुविद्धया धिया त्वमाविरासी: किल योगभास्कर: ॥ ५ ॥

lokasya mithyabhimater acaksusas ciram prasuptasya tamasy anasraye srantasya karmasv anuviddhaya dhiya tvam avirasih kila yoga-bhaskarah

My dear Lord, You are just like the sun, for You illuminate the darkness of the conditional life of the living entities. Because their eyes of knowledge are not open, they are sleeping eternally in that darkness without Your shelter, and therefore they are falsely engaged by the actions and reactions of their material activities, and they appear to be very fatigued.

3.29.6

मैत्रेय उवाच इति मातुर्वच: श्लक्ष्णं प्रतिनन्द्य महामुनि: । आबभाषे कुरुश्रेष्ठ प्रीतस्तां करुणार्दित: ॥ ६ ॥

maitreya uvaca iti matur vacah slaksnam pratinandya maha-munih ababhase kuru-srestha pritas tam karunarditah

Sri Maitreya said: O best amongst the Kurus, the great sage Kapila, moved by great compassion and pleased by the words of His glorious mother, spoke as follows.

3.29.7

श्रीभगवानुवाच भक्तियोगो बहुविधो मार्गैर्भामिनि भाव्यते । स्वभावगुणमार्गेण पुंसां भावो विभिद्यते ॥ ७ ॥

sri-bhagavan uvaca bhakti-yogo bahu-vidho margair bhamini bhavyate svabhava-guna-margena pumsam bhavo vibhidyate

Lord Kapila, the Personality of Godhead, replied: O noble lady, there are multifarious paths of devotional service in terms of the different qualities of the executor.

3.29.8

अभिसन्धाय यो हिंसां दम्भं मात्सर्यमेव वा । संरम्भी भिन्नद‍ृग्भावं मयि कुर्यात्स तामस: ॥ ८ ॥

abhisandhaya yo himsam dambham matsaryam eva va samrambhi bhinna-drg bhavam mayi kuryat sa tamasah

Devotional service executed by a person who is envious, proud, violent and angry, and who is a separatist, is considered to be in the mode of darkness.

3.29.9

विषयानभिसन्धाय यश ऐश्वर्यमेव वा । अर्चादावर्चयेद्यो मां पृथग्भाव: स राजस: ॥ ९ ॥

visayan abhisandhaya yasa aisvaryam eva va arcadav arcayed yo mam prthag-bhavah sa rajasah

The worship of Deities in the temple by a separatist, with a motive for material enjoyment, fame and opulence, is devotion in the mode of passion.

3.29.10

कर्मनिर्हारमुद्दिश्य परस्मिन्वा तदर्पणम् । यजेद्यष्टव्यमिति वा पृथग्भाव: स सात्त्विक: ॥ १० ॥

karma-nirharam uddisya parasmin va tad-arpanam yajed yastavyam iti va prthag-bhavah sa sattvikah

When a devotee worships the Supreme Personality of Godhead and offers the results of his activities in order to free himself from the inebrieties of fruitive activities, his devotion is in the mode of goodness.

3.29.11-12

मद्गुणश्रुतिमात्रेण मयि सर्वगुहाशये । मनोगतिरविच्छिन्ना यथा गङ्गाम्भसोऽम्बुधौ ॥ ११ ॥ लक्षणं भक्तियोगस्य निर्गुणस्य ह्युदाहृतम् । अहैतुक्यव्यवहिता या भक्ति: पुरुषोत्तमे ॥ १२ ॥

mad-guna-sruti-matrena mayi sarva-guhasaye mano-gatir avicchinna yatha gangambhaso ’mbudhau laksanam bhakti-yogasya nirgunasya hy udahrtam ahaituky avyavahita ya bhaktih purusottame

The manifestation of unadulterated devotional service is exhibited when one’s mind is at once attracted to hearing the transcendental name and qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is residing in everyone’s heart. Just as the water of the Ganges flows naturally down towards the ocean, such devotional ecstasy, uninterrupted by any material condition, flows towards the Supreme Lord.

3.29.13

सालोक्यसार्ष्टिसामीप्यसारूप्यैकत्वमप्युत । दीयमानं न गृह्णन्ति विना मत्सेवनं जना: ॥ १३ ॥

salokya-sarsti-samipya- sarupyaikatvam apy uta diyamanam na grhnanti vina mat-sevanam janah

A pure devotee does not accept any kind of liberation—salokya, sarsti, samipya, sarupya or ekatva—even though they are offered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

3.29.14

स एव भक्तियोगाख्य आत्यन्तिक उदाहृत: । येनातिव्रज्य त्रिगुणं मद्भावायोपपद्यते ॥ १४ ॥

sa eva bhakti-yogakhya atyantika udahrtah yenativrajya tri-gunam mad-bhavayopapadyate

By attaining the highest platform of devotional service, as I have explained, one can overcome the influence of the three modes of material nature and be situated in the transcendental stage, as is the Lord.

3.29.15

निषेवितेनानिमित्तेन स्वधर्मेण महीयसा । क्रियायोगेन शस्तेन नातिहिंस्रेण नित्यश: ॥ १५ ॥

nisevitenanimittena sva-dharmena mahiyasa kriya-yogena sastena natihimsrena nityasah

A devotee must execute his prescribed duties, which are glorious, without material profit. Without excessive violence, one should regularly perform one’s devotional activities.

3.29.16

मद्धिष्ण्यदर्शनस्पर्शपूजास्तुत्यभिवन्दनै: । भूतेषु मद्भावनया सत्त्वेनासङ्गमेन च ॥ १६ ॥

mad-dhisnya-darsana-sparsa- puja-stuty-abhivandanaih bhutesu mad-bhavanaya sattvenasangamena ca

The devotee should regularly see My statues in the temple, touch My lotus feet and offer worshipable paraphernalia and prayer. He should see in the spirit of renunciation, from the mode of goodness, and see every living entity as spiritual.

3.29.17

महतां बहुमानेन दीनानामनुकम्पया । मैत्र्या चैवात्मतुल्येषु यमेन नियमेन च ॥ १७ ॥

mahatam bahu-manena dinanam anukampaya maitrya caivatma-tulyesu yamena niyamena ca

The pure devotee should execute devotional service by giving the greatest respect to the spiritual master and the acaryas. He should be compassionate to the poor and make friendship with persons who are his equals, but all his activities should be executed under regulation and with control of the senses.

3.29.18

आध्यात्मिकानुश्रवणान्नामसङ्कीर्तनाच्च मे । आर्जवेनार्यसङ्गेन निरहङ्‍‌क्रियया तथा ॥ १८ ॥

adhyatmikanusravanan nama-sankirtanac ca me arjavenarya-sangena nirahankriyaya tatha

A devotee should always try to hear about spiritual matters and should always utilize his time in chanting the holy name of the Lord. His behavior should always be straightforward and simple, and although he is not envious but friendly to everyone, he should avoid the company of persons who are not spiritually advanced.

3.29.19

मद्धर्मणो गुणैरेतै: परिसंशुद्ध आशय: । पुरुषस्याञ्जसाभ्येति श्रुतमात्रगुणं हि माम् ॥ १९ ॥

mad-dharmano gunair etaih parisamsuddha asayah purusasyanjasabhyeti sruta-matra-gunam hi mam

When one is fully qualified with all these transcendental attributes and his consciousness is thus completely purified, he is immediately attracted simply by hearing My name or hearing of My transcendental quality.

3.29.20

यथा वातरथो घ्राणमावृङ्क्ते गन्ध आशयात् । एवं योगरतं चेत आत्मानमविकारि यत् ॥ २० ॥

yatha vata-ratho ghranam avrnkte gandha asayat evam yoga-ratam ceta atmanam avikari yat

As the chariot of air carries an aroma from its source and immediately catches the sense of smell, similarly, one who constantly engages in devotional service, in Krsna consciousness, can catch the Supreme Soul, who is equally present everywhere.

3.29.21

अहं सर्वेषु भूतेषु भूतात्मावस्थित: सदा । तमवज्ञाय मां मर्त्य: कुरुतेऽर्चाविडम्बनम् ॥ २१ ॥

aham sarvesu bhutesu bhutatmavasthitah sada tam avajnaya mam martyah kurute ’rca-vidambanam

I am present in every living entity as the Supersoul. If someone neglects or disregards that Supersoul everywhere and engages himself in the worship of the Deity in the temple, that is simply imitation.

3.29.22

यो मां सर्वेषु भूतेषु सन्तमात्मानमीश्वरम् । हित्वार्चां भजते मौढ्याद्भस्मन्येव जुहोति स: ॥ २२ ॥

yo mam sarvesu bhutesu santam atmanam isvaram hitvarcam bhajate maudhyad bhasmany eva juhoti sah

One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramatma, is situated in every living entity’s heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into ashes.

3.29.23

द्विषत: परकाये मां मानिनो भिन्नदर्शिन: । भूतेषु बद्धवैरस्य न मन: शान्तिमृच्छति ॥ २३ ॥

dvisatah para-kaye mam manino bhinna-darsinah bhutesu baddha-vairasya na manah santim rcchati

One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behavior towards other living entities.

3.29.24

अहमुच्चावचैर्द्रव्यै: क्रिययोत्पन्नयानघे । नैव तुष्येऽर्चितोऽर्चायां भूतग्रामावमानिन: ॥ २४ ॥

aham uccavacair dravyaih kriyayotpannayanaghe naiva tusye ’rcito ’rcayam bhuta-gramavamaninah

My dear Mother, even if he worships with proper rituals and paraphernalia, a person who is ignorant of My presence in all living entities never pleases Me by the worship of My Deities in the temple.

3.29.25

अर्चादावर्चयेत्तावदीश्वरं मां स्वकर्मकृत् । यावन्न वेद स्वहृदि सर्वभूतेष्ववस्थितम् ॥ २५ ॥

arcadav arcayet tavad isvaram mam sva-karma-krt yavan na veda sva-hrdi sarva-bhutesv avasthitam

Performing his prescribed duties, one should worship the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead until one realizes My presence in his own heart and in the hearts of other living entities as well.

3.29.26

आत्मनश्च परस्यापि य: करोत्यन्तरोदरम् । तस्य भिन्नद‍ृशो मृत्युर्विदधे भयमुल्बणम् ॥ २६ ॥

atmanas ca parasyapi yah karoty antarodaram tasya bhinna-drso mrtyur vidadhe bhayam ulbanam

As the blazing fire of death, I cause great fear to whoever makes the least discrimination between himself and other living entities because of a differential outlook.

3.29.27

अथ मां सर्वभूतेषु भूतात्मानं कृतालयम् । अर्हयेद्दानमानाभ्यां मैत्र्याभिन्नेन चक्षुषा ॥ २७ ॥

atha mam sarva-bhutesu bhutatmanam krtalayam arhayed dana-manabhyam maitryabhinnena caksusa

Therefore, through charitable gifts and attention, as well as through friendly behavior and by viewing all to be alike, one should propitiate Me, who abide in all creatures as their very Self.

3.29.28

जीवा: श्रेष्ठा ह्यजीवानां तत: प्राणभृत: शुभे । त: सचित्ता: प्रवरास्ततश्चेन्द्रियवृत्तय: ॥ २८ ॥

jivah srestha hy ajivanam tatah prana-bhrtah subhe tatah sa-cittah pravaras tatas cendriya-vrttayah

Living entities are superior to inanimate objects, O blessed mother, and among them, living entities who display life symptoms are better. Animals with developed consciousness are better than them, and better still are those who have developed sense perception.

3.29.29

तत्रापि स्पर्शवेदिभ्य: प्रवरा रसवेदिन: । तेभ्यो गन्धविद: श्रेष्ठास्तत: शब्दविदो वरा: ॥ २९ ॥

tatrapi sparsa-vedibhyah pravara rasa-vedinah tebhyo gandha-vidah sresthas tatah sabda-vido varah

Among the living entities who have developed sense perception, those who have developed the sense of taste are better than those who have developed only the sense of touch. Better than them are those who have developed the sense of smell, and better still are those who have developed the sense of hearing.

3.29.30

रूपभेदविदस्तत्र ततश्चोभयतोदत: । तेषां बहुपदा: श्रेष्ठाश्चतुष्पादस्ततो द्विपात् ॥ ३० ॥

rupa-bheda-vidas tatra tatas cobhayato-datah tesam bahu-padah sresthas catus-padas tato dvi-pat

Better than those living entities who can perceive sound are those who can distinguish between one form and another. Better than them are those who have developed upper and lower sets of teeth, and better still are those who have many legs. Better than them are the quadrupeds, and better still are the human beings.

3.29.31

ततो वर्णाश्च चत्वारस्तेषां ब्राह्मण उत्तम: । ब्राह्मणेष्वपि वेदज्ञो ह्यर्थज्ञोऽभ्यधिकस्तत: ॥ ३१ ॥

tato varnas ca catvaras tesam brahmana uttamah brahmanesv api veda-jno hy artha-jno ’bhyadhikas tatah

Among human beings, the society which is divided according to quality and work is best, and in that society, the intelligent men, who are designated as brahmanas, are best. Among the brahmanas, one who has studied the Vedas is the best, and among the brahmanas who have studied the Vedas, one who knows the actual purport of Veda is the best.

3.29.32

अर्थज्ञात्संशयच्छेत्ता तत: श्रेयान्स्वकर्मकृत् । मुक्तसङ्गस्ततो भूयानदोग्धा धर्ममात्मन: ॥ ३२ ॥

artha-jnat samsaya-cchetta tatah sreyan sva-karma-krt mukta-sangas tato bhuyan adogdha dharmam atmanah

Better than the brahmana who knows the purpose of the Vedas is he who can dissipate all doubts, and better than him is one who strictly follows the brahminical principles. Better than him is one who is liberated from all material contamination, and better than him is a pure devotee, who executes devotional service without expectation of reward.

3.29.33

तस्मान्मय्यर्पिताशेषक्रियार्थात्मा निरन्तर: । मय्यर्पितात्मन: पुंसो मयि संन्यस्तकर्मण: । न पश्यामि परं भूतमकर्तु: समदर्शनात् ॥ ३३ ॥

tasman mayy arpitasesa- kriyarthatma nirantarah mayy arpitatmanah pumso mayi sannyasta-karmanah na pasyami param bhutam akartuh sama-darsanat

Therefore I do not find a greater person than he who has no interest outside of Mine and who therefore engages and dedicates all his activities and all his life—everything—unto Me without cessation.

3.29.34

मनसैतानि भूतानि प्रणमेद्बहुमानयन् । ईश्वरो जीवकलया प्रविष्टो भगवानिति ॥ ३४ ॥

manasaitani bhutani pranamed bahu-manayan isvaro jiva-kalaya pravisto bhagavan iti

Such a perfect devotee offers respects to every living entity because he is under the firm conviction that the Supreme Personality of Godhead has entered the body of every living entity as the Supersoul, or controller.

3.29.35

भक्तियोगश्च योगश्च मया मानव्युदीरित: । ययोरेकतरेणैव पुरुष: पुरुषं व्रजेत् ॥ ३५ ॥

bhakti-yogas ca yogas ca maya manavy udiritah yayor ekatarenaiva purusah purusam vrajet

My dear mother, O daughter of Manu, a devotee who applies the science of devotional service and mystic yoga in this way can achieve the abode of the Supreme Person simply by that devotional service.

3.29.36

एतद्भगवतो रूपं ब्रह्मण: परमात्मन: । परं प्रधानं पुरुषं दैवं कर्मविचेष्टितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

etad bhagavato rupam brahmanah paramatmanah param pradhanam purusam daivam karma-vicestitam

This purusa whom the individual soul must approach is the eternal form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is known as Brahman and Paramatma. He is the transcendental chief personality, and His activities are all spiritual.

3.29.37

रूपभेदास्पदं दिव्यं काल इत्यभिधीयते । भूतानां महदादीनां यतो भिन्नद‍ृशां भयम् ॥ ३७ ॥

rupa-bhedaspadam divyam kala ity abhidhiyate bhutanam mahad-adinam yato bhinna-drsam bhayam

The time factor, who causes the transformation of the various material manifestations, is another feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anyone who does not know that time is the same Supreme Personality is afraid of the time factor.

3.29.38

योऽन्त: प्रविश्य भूतानि भूतैरत्त्यखिलाश्रय: । स विष्ण्वाख्योऽधियज्ञोऽसौ काल: कलयतां प्रभु: ॥ ३८ ॥

yo ’ntah pravisya bhutani bhutair atty akhilasrayah sa visnv-akhyo ’dhiyajno ’sau kalah kalayatam prabhuh

Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the enjoyer of all sacrifices, is the time factor and the master of all masters. He enters everyone’s heart, He is the support of everyone, and He causes every being to be annihilated by another.

3.29.39

न चास्य कश्चिद्दयितो न द्वेष्यो न च बान्धव: । आविशत्यप्रमत्तोऽसौ प्रमत्तं जनमन्तकृत् ॥ ३९ ॥

na casya kascid dayito na dvesyo na ca bandhavah avisaty apramatto ’sau pramattam janam anta-krt

No one is dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, nor is anyone His enemy or friend. But He gives inspiration to those who have not forgotten Him and destroys those who have.

3.29.40

यद्भयाद्वाति वातोऽयं सूर्यस्तपति यद्भयात् । यद्भयाद्वर्षते देवो भगणो भाति यद्भयात् ॥ ४० ॥

yad-bhayad vati vato ’yam suryas tapati yad-bhayat yad-bhayad varsate devo bha-gano bhati yad-bhayat

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the wind blows, out of fear of Him the sun shines, out of fear of Him the rain pours forth showers, and out of fear of Him the host of heavenly bodies shed their luster.

3.29.41

यद्वनस्पतयो भीता लताश्चौषधिभि: सह । स्वे स्वे कालेऽभिगृह्णन्ति पुष्पाणि च फलानि च ॥ ४१ ॥

yad vanaspatayo bhita latas causadhibhih saha sve sve kale ’bhigrhnanti puspani ca phalani ca

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the trees, creepers, herbs and seasonal plants and flowers blossom and fructify, each in its own season.

3.29.42

स्रवन्ति सरितो भीता नोत्सर्पत्युदधिर्यत: । अग्निरिन्धे सगिरिभिर्भूर्न मज्जति यद्भयात् ॥ ४२ ॥

sravanti sarito bhita notsarpaty udadhir yatah agnir indhe sa-giribhir bhur na majjati yad-bhayat

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead the rivers flow, and the ocean never overflows. Out of fear of Him only does fire burn and does the earth, with its mountains, not sink in the water of the universe.

3.29.43

नभो ददाति श्वसतां पदं यन्नियमादद: । लोकं स्वदेहं तनुते महान् सप्तभिरावृतम् ॥ ४३ ॥

nabho dadati svasatam padam yan-niyamad adah lokam sva-deham tanute mahan saptabhir avrtam

Subject to the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sky allows outer space to accommodate all the various planes, which hold innumerable living entities. The total universal body expands with its seven coverings under His supreme control.

3.29.44

गुणाभिमानिनो देवा: सर्गादिष्वस्य यद्भयात् । वर्तन्तेऽनुयुगं येषां वश एतच्चराचरम् ॥ ४४ ॥

gunabhimanino devah sargadisv asya yad-bhayat vartante ’nuyugam yesam vasa etac caracaram

Out of fear of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the directing demigods in charge of the modes of material nature carry out the functions of creation, maintenance and destruction; everything animate and inanimate within this material world is under their control.

3.29.45

सोऽनन्तोऽन्तकर: कालोऽनादिरादिकृदव्यय: । जनं जनेन जनयन्मारयन्मृत्युनान्तकम् ॥ ४५ ॥

so ’nanto ’nta-karah kalo ’nadir adi-krd avyayah janam janena janayan marayan mrtyunantakam

The eternal time factor has no beginning and no end. It is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the maker of the criminal world. It brings about the end of the phenomenal world, it carries on the work of creation by bringing one individual into existence from another, and likewise it dissolves the universe by destroying even the lord of death, Yamaraja.