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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 14: The Disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa
1.14.391.14.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.14.40

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 1.14.25inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

कच्चिन्नाभिहतोऽभावै: शब्दादिभिरमङ्गलै: ।

न दत्तमुक्तमर्थिभ्य आशया यत्प्रतिश्रुतम् ॥ ४० ॥

kaccin nābhihato ’bhāvaiḥ

śabdādibhir amaṅgalaiḥ

na dattam uktam arthibhya

āśayā yat pratiśrutam

Translation

Has someone addressed you with unfriendly words or threatened you? Could you not give charity to one who asked, or could you not keep your promise to someone?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Give Thoughtfully and Keep Your Promises

  1. 1

    A kṣatriya or wealthy person has a duty to give charity when approached by someone in need. Giving should take account of the person, place and time.

  2. 2

    One should not fail to keep a promise to give in charity. Neglecting this obligation is a cause for sincere regret.

  3. 3

    Failure to give or keep a promise can bring despondency and criticism. The King asks whether such a failure, unfriendly words or threats might explain Arjuna’s distress.

Key points from the purport
  • A kṣatriya or a rich man is sometimes visited by persons who are in need of money.
  • When they are asked for a donation, it is the duty of the possessor of wealth to give in charity in consideration of the person, place and time.
  • Similarly, one should not fail to keep his promise to give in charity.

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 14: The Disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa

Yudhiṣṭhira observes disturbing omens and questions Arjuna about Kṛṣṇa and their relatives.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaccitwhether
  2. nacould not
  3. abhihataḥaddressed by
  4. abhāvaiḥunfriendly
  5. śabda-ādibhiḥby sounds
  6. amaṅgalaiḥinauspicious
  7. nadid not
  8. dattamgive in charity
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.14

    In this verse: “wealthy”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.14

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.14

    In this verse: “distress”

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

Have I left any promise of help unfulfilled?

Practice

Review one promise you have made to help someone and take a concrete step toward fulfilling it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGive Thoughtfully and Keep Your PromisesThis 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 1.14.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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