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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
1.13.371.13.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sañjayasince 1.13.37inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अथाजगाम भगवान् नारद: सहतुम्बुरु: ।

प्रत्युत्थायाभिवाद्याह सानुजोऽभ्यर्चयन्मुनिम् ॥ ३८ ॥

athājagāma bhagavān

nāradaḥ saha-tumburuḥ

pratyutthāyābhivādyāha

sānujo ’bhyarcayan munim

Translation

While Sañjaya was thus speaking, Śrī Nārada, the powerful devotee of the Lord, appeared on the scene carrying his tumburu. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers received him properly by getting up from their seats and offering obeisances.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor Those Who Glorify the Lord

  1. 1

    When Nārada arrived, Yudhiṣṭhira and his brothers rose and offered obeisances. They showed how to receive a pure devotee respectfully.

  2. 2

    Nārada is called bhagavān because he is a most confidential devotee of the Lord. Those engaged in loving service honor such devotees with respect like that offered to the Personality of Godhead Himself.

  3. 3

    Confidential devotees are especially dear to the Lord because they spread His glories and help others become devotees. Nārada’s life was devoted to singing the Lord’s glories with his vīṇā.

Key points from the purport
  • Devarṣi Nārada is described herein as bhagavān due to his being the most confidential devotee of the Lord.
  • The Lord and His very confidential devotees are treated on the same level by those who are actually engaged in the loving service of the Lord.
  • The confidential devotees of the Lord treat such illusioned living beings, and therefore they are most pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.

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. athathereafter
  2. ājagāmaarrived
  3. bhagavānthe godly personality
  4. nāradaḥNārada
  5. saha-tumburuḥalong with his tumburu (musical instrument)
  6. pratyutthāyahaving gotten up from their seats
  7. abhivādyaoffering their due obeisances
  8. āhasaid
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 do I show respect for those who help others become devoted to the Lord?

Practice

Listen attentively today to a devotee glorifying the Lord, and express your appreciation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor Those Who Glorify the LordThis 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 1.13.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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