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 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

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 1 · Chapter 13: Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits Home
1.13.141.13.16

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.15

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 1.13.8inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अबिभ्रदर्यमा दण्डं यथावदघकारिषु ।

यावद्दधार शूद्रत्वं शापाद्वर्षशतं यम: ॥ १५ ॥

abibhrad aryamā daṇḍaṁ

yathāvad agha-kāriṣu

yāvad dadhāra śūdratvaṁ

śāpād varṣa-śataṁ yamaḥ

Translation

As long as Vidura played the part of a śūdra, being cursed by Maṇḍūka Muni, Aryamā officiated at the post of Yamarāja to punish those who committed sinful acts.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Qualification Goes Beyond Birth

  1. 1

    Vidura was thoroughly educated in transcendental knowledge by Ṛṣi Maitreya and was qualified to act as a spiritual teacher. Knowledge of the science of Godhead, not birth or household status, qualifies one to become a spiritual master.

  2. 2

    Vidura was actually Yamarāja, playing the part of a śūdra because of Maṇḍūka Muni’s curse. During his absence, Aryamā carried out Yamarāja’s duties.

  3. 3

    By the Lord’s will, Yamarāja came as Vidura to preach the Lord’s glories as a great devotee. The Lord and His pure devotees remain transcendental to material social divisions.

Key points from the purport
  • The other is that Vidura was not actually a śūdra.
  • But he wanted to preach the glories of the Lord, and therefore by the will of the Lord he was cursed by Maṇḍūka Muni to come into the world in the incarnation of Vidura and work very hard as a great devotee.
  • When Yamarāja thus incarnated himself as Vidura, his post was officiated by Aryamā, one of the many sons of Kaśyapa and Aditi.

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

Bereavement → Renunciation. The worldly support system recedes and attachment is exposed.

Chapters 13–15 of Canto 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra departs; Kṛṣṇa disappears; Pāṇḍavas retire. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits Home

Vidura warns of inevitable death; Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves home, and Yudhiṣṭhira finds his elders absent.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. abibhratadministered
  2. aryamāAryamā
  3. daṇḍampunishment
  4. yathāvatas it was suitable
  5. agha-kāriṣuunto persons who had committed sins
  6. yāvatas long as
  7. dadhāraaccepted
  8. śūdratvamthe tabernacle of a śūdra
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “household”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “sinful”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “duties”

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

Do I value spiritual knowledge and devotion more than someone’s birth or social position?

Practice

Notice one judgment you make based on social standing, and reconsider it in light of the importance of spiritual knowledge and devotion.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

7

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.13's connections

Live this todaySpiritual Qualification Goes Beyond BirthThis 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 1.13.15? 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