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

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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
1.13.421.13.44

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.43

Āśraya· The supreme shelter
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.13.41inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

यथा क्रीडोपस्कराणां संयोगविगमाविह ।

इच्छया क्रीडितु: स्यातां तथैवेशेच्छया नृणाम् ॥ ४३ ॥

yathā krīḍopaskarāṇāṁ

saṁyoga-vigamāv iha

icchayā krīḍituḥ syātāṁ

tathaiveśecchayā nṛṇām

Translation

As a player sets up and disperses his playthings according to his own sweet will, so the supreme will of the Lord brings men together and separates them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Will Transcends Karma

  1. 1

    Our present position is arranged by the supreme will in accordance with our past acts. As the localized Paramātmā in every heart, the Lord knows all our activities.

  2. 2

    Neither wealth nor poverty gives us control over meetings and separations. These take place by the will of the Supreme Lord.

  3. 3

    The Lord is not bound by karma and can change the results of past actions. He saves the pure devotee who surrenders to Him without reservation from sinful reactions.

Key points from the purport
  • One may argue that since the Lord is bound to award the reactionary results of our own actions, the example of a player cannot be applied.
  • We must always remember that the Lord is the supreme will, and He is not bound by any law.
  • Therefore, the example of the player cited in this verse is quite appropriate, for the Supreme Will is absolutely free to do whatever He likes, and because He is all-perfect, there is no mistake in any of His actions or reactions.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 1.13.43 quotesBG 13.23

The Supreme Lord is present as the localized Paramātmā in the heart of every living being, as it is said in the Bhagavad-gītā (13.23), and therefore he knows everything of our activities in every stage of our lives.

The purport of SB 1.13.43 quotesBG 9.30

It is assured in the Bhagavad-gītā (9.30-31) that the Lord saves a pure devotee who has surrendered unto Him without reservation from all sorts of reactions of sins, and there is no doubt about this.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. yathāas much as
  2. krīḍa-upaskarāṇāmplaythings
  3. saṁyogaunion
  4. vigamaudisunion
  5. ihain this world
  6. icchayāby the will of
  7. krīḍituḥjust to play a part
  8. syātāmtakes place
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Āśraya · The summum bonum

    Who is the shelter of everything? · Subject 10 of 10

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “sweet”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “separations”

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 can knowing that the Lord is above karma deepen your willingness to surrender to Him?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing your wish to surrender to the Lord without reservation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Will Transcends KarmaThis 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 1.13.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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