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

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 1 · Chapter 13: Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits Home
1.13.171.13.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.18

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 1.13.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

विदुरस्तदभिप्रेत्य धृतराष्ट्रमभाषत ।

राजन्निर्गम्यतां शीघ्रं पश्येदं भयमागतम् ॥ १८ ॥

viduras tad abhipretya

dhṛtarāṣṭram abhāṣata

rājan nirgamyatāṁ śīghraṁ

paśyedaṁ bhayam āgatam

Translation

Mahātmā Vidura knew all this, and therefore he addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra, saying: My dear King, please get out of here immediately. Do not delay. Just see how fear has overtaken you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Delay Spiritual Awakening

  1. 1

    Death spares no one, so spiritual instruction is relevant to both old and young. Everyone in the palace listened attentively, though Vidura especially addressed the materially attached Dhṛtarāṣṭra.

  2. 2

    Dhṛtarāṣṭra remained attached to royal honor even after losing his men and wealth. Vidura affectionately sought to awaken him from this illusion amid disease and old age.

  3. 3

    Everyone is subject to eternal time; no worldly ruler can command it. Vidura therefore urged Dhṛtarāṣṭra to leave immediately rather than delay while danger approached.

Key points from the purport
  • Cruel death cares for none, be he Dhṛtarāṣṭra or even Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira; therefore spiritual instruction, as was given to old Dhṛtarāṣṭra, was equally applicable to younger Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.
  • Vidura therefore sarcastically addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra as the “King,” which he was actually not.
  • Therefore one is a false king in the material world, and Dhṛtarāṣṭra was particularly reminded of this false position and of the factual fearful happenings which had already approached him at that time.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. viduraḥMahātmā Vidura
  2. tatthat
  3. abhipretyaknowing it well
  4. dhṛtarāṣṭramunto Dhṛtarāṣṭra
  5. abhāṣatasaid
  6. rājanO King
  7. nirgamyatāmplease get out immediately
  8. śīghramwithout the least delay
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 1.13

    In this verse: “attached”, “illusion”, “wealth”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “fear”, “danger”, “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”

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

What comfort or sense of importance makes me postpone taking spiritual instruction seriously?

Practice

Choose one spiritual instruction you have been postponing and take a small step to follow it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Delay Spiritual AwakeningThis 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 1.13.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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