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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
1.13.81.13.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 1.13.8inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

कया वृत्त्या वर्तितं वश्चरद्भ‍ि: क्षितिमण्डलम् ।

तीर्थानि क्षेत्रमुख्यानि सेवितानीह भूतले ॥ ९ ॥

kayā vṛttyā vartitaṁ vaś

caradbhiḥ kṣiti-maṇḍalam

tīrthāni kṣetra-mukhyāni

sevitānīha bhūtale

Translation

While traveling on the surface of the earth, how did you maintain your livelihood? At which holy places and pilgrimage sites did you render service?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pilgrimage Supports Detachment and Spiritual Progress

  1. 1

    Vidura left the palace to detach himself from household affairs, especially political intrigues. He prepared for the renounced order of life.

  2. 2

    The preparatory stage called vānaprastha-āśrama is retired life devoted to traveling and visiting holy places.

  3. 3

    The purport describes great devotees and free kitchens at holy places that support those seeking spiritual advancement. Yudhiṣṭhira asked where Vidura had rendered service and how he had maintained himself.

Key points from the purport
  • This preparatory stage is called vānaprastha-āśrama, or retired life for traveling and visiting the holy places on the surface of the earth.
  • In the holy places of India, like Vṛndāvana, Hardwar, Jagannātha Purī, and Prayāga, there are many great devotees, and there are still free kitchen houses for persons who desire to advance spiritually.
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was inquisitive to learn whether Vidura maintained himself by the mercy of the free kitchen houses (chatras).

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. kayāby which
  2. vṛttyāmeans
  3. vartitammaintained your livelihood
  4. vaḥyour good self
  5. caradbhiḥwhile traveling
  6. kṣiti-maṇḍalamon the surface of the earth
  7. tīrthāniplaces of pilgrimage
  8. kṣetra-mukhyānithe principal holy places
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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “detach”, “renounced”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Which entanglement could I step back from to give more attention to spiritual advancement?

Practice

Set aside one unnecessary argument today and use that time to reflect on your spiritual progress.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPilgrimage Supports Detachment and Spiritual ProgressThis 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 1.13.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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