1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
1.15.161.15.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.17

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

सौत्ये वृत: कुमतिनात्मद ईश्वरो मे

यत्पादपद्ममभवाय भजन्ति भव्या: ।

मां श्रान्तवाहमरयो रथिनो भुविष्ठं

न प्राहरन् यदनुभावनिरस्तचित्ता: ॥ १७ ॥

sautye vṛtaḥ kumatinātmada īśvaro me

yat-pāda-padmam abhavāya bhajanti bhavyāḥ

māṁ śrānta-vāham arayo rathino bhuvi-ṣṭhaṁ

na prāharan yad-anubhāva-nirasta-cittāḥ

Translation

It was by His mercy only that my enemies neglected to kill me when I descended from my chariot to get water for my thirsty horses. And it was due to my lack of esteem for my Lord that I dared engage Him as my chariot driver, for He is worshiped and offered services by the best men to attain salvation.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Supreme Lord Becomes His Devotee’s Friend

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, yet He perfectly played the part of Arjuna’s friend and chariot driver.

  2. 2

    By the Lord’s internal potency, a devotee in an intimate relationship may forget His supreme position. The purport explains that Arjuna made no mistake and did not truly underestimate the Lord.

  3. 3

    By Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, Arjuna’s enemies did not attack him when he left his chariot to supply water to his thirsty horses.

Key points from the purport
  • The Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, is the object of worship both by impersonalists and by the devotees of the Lord.
  • The Lord, however, descends to attract all by His specific transcendental pastimes, and thus He plays the part of the most perfect master, friend, son and lover.
  • His transcendental relation with Arjuna was in friendship, and the Lord therefore played the part perfectly, as He did with His parents, lovers and wives.

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. sautyeregarding a chariot driver
  2. vṛtaḥengaged
  3. kumatināby bad consciousness
  4. ātma-daḥone who delivers
  5. īśvaraḥthe Supreme Lord
  6. memy
  7. yatwhose
  8. pāda-padmamlotus feet
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotee”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “mercy”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”

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

What touches you about the Supreme Lord’s willingness to serve as His devotee’s friend?

Practice

Spend one minute reflecting on Kṛṣṇa’s friendship with Arjuna as an expression of His loving care.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Supreme Lord Becomes His Devotee’s FriendThis 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 1.15.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories