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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 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely
1.15.131.15.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.14

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Arjunasince 1.15.5inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

यद्बान्धव: कुरुबलाब्धिमनन्तपार-

मेको रथेन ततरेऽहमतीर्यसत्त्वम् ।

प्रत्याहृतं बहु धनं च मया परेषां

तेजास्पदं मणिमयं च हृतं शिरोभ्य: ॥ १४ ॥

yad-bāndhavaḥ kuru-balābdhim ananta-pāram

eko rathena tatare ’ham atīrya-sattvam

pratyāhṛtaṁ bahu dhanaṁ ca mayā pareṣāṁ

tejās-padaṁ maṇimayaṁ ca hṛtaṁ śirobhyaḥ

Translation

The military strength of the Kauravas was like an ocean in which there dwelled many invincible existences, and thus it was insurmountable. But because of His friendship, I, seated on the chariot, was able to cross over it. And only by His grace was I able to regain the cows and also collect by force many helmets of the kings, which were bedecked with jewels that were sources of all brilliance.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Lord’s Grace in Success

  1. 1

    The Kauravas’ military strength was like an insurmountable ocean, supported by stalwart commanders. Yet Arjuna could overcome them by Lord Kṛṣṇa’s grace.

  2. 2

    With Lord Kṛṣṇa driving his chariot, Arjuna could manage the great responsibility of the war. He credited his success to the Lord’s friendship and help.

  3. 3

    Arjuna also regained King Virāṭa’s cows and took jewels from the opposing kings. He remembered that all this was possible by the Lord’s grace.

Key points from the purport
  • On the Kaurava side there were many stalwart commanders like Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa and Karṇa, and their military strength was as insurmountable as the great ocean.
  • While they were taking away the cows, Arjuna fought with them incognito and was able to regain the cows along with some booty taken by force — the jewels set on the turbans of the royal order.
  • Arjuna remembered that all this was possible by the grace 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 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely

Arjuna grieves over Kṛṣṇa’s departure, and the Pāṇḍavas retire, fixing their minds on His lotus feet.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yat-bāndhavaḥby whose friendship only
  2. kuru-bala-abdhimthe ocean of the military strength of the Kurus
  3. ananta-pāramwhich was insurmountable
  4. ekaḥalone
  5. rathenabeing seated on the chariot
  6. tatarewas able to cross over
  7. ahammyself
  8. atīryainvincible
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “kings”, “king”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “friendship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “grace”

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

Do I remember the Lord’s grace when I look back on my successes?

Practice

Recall one success today and take a moment to thank Lord Kṛṣṇa rather than claiming all the credit.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.15's connections

Live this todayRemember the Lord’s Grace in SuccessThis 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 1.15.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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