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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.19

Who is speaking and story frame

शय्यासनाटनविकत्थनभोजनादि ष्वैक्याद्वयस्य ऋतवानिति विप्रलब्ध: ।

सख्यु: सखेव पितृवत्तनयस्य सर्वं सेहे महान्महितया कुमतेरघं मे ॥ १९ ॥

śayyāsanāṭana-vikatthana-bhojanādiṣv

aikyād vayasya ṛtavān iti vipralabdhaḥ

sakhyuḥ sakheva pitṛvat tanayasya sarvaṁ

sehe mahān mahitayā kumater aghaṁ me

Translation

Generally both of us used to live together and sleep, sit and loiter together. And at the time of advertising oneself for acts of chivalry, sometimes, if there were any irregularity, I used to reproach Him by saying, “My friend, You are very truthful.” Even in those hours when His value was minimized, He, being the Supreme Soul, used to tolerate all those utterings of mine, excusing me exactly as a true friend excuses his true friend, or a father excuses his son.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Relishes His Devotees’ Loving Intimacy

  1. 1

    Arjuna recalls living, sleeping, sitting and walking together with Kṛṣṇa. Their friendship included familiar words of reproach.

  2. 2

    The Lord tolerated Arjuna’s utterances as a true friend excuses a friend or a father excuses his son.

  3. 3

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa is all-perfect, and His pastimes with pure devotees lack nothing. He relishes their loving reproaches more than Vedic hymns offered in an official fashion.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is all-perfect, His transcendental pastimes with His pure devotees never lack anything in any respect, either as a friend, son or lover.
  • The Lord relishes the reproaches of friends, parents or fiancees more than the Vedic hymns offered to Him by great learned scholars and religionists in an official fashion.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śayyasleeping on one bed
  2. āsanasitting on one seat
  3. aṭanawalking together
  4. vikatthanaself-adoration
  5. bhojanadining together
  6. ādiṣuand in all such dealings
  7. aikyātbecause of oneness
  8. vayasyaO my friend
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

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friend”, “friendship”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “father”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    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

How does the Lord’s patience with Arjuna help you appreciate His loving nature?

Practice

Reread the Lord’s response to Arjuna’s reproaches and spend a moment appreciating His patience.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Relishes His Devotees’ Loving IntimacyThis 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 1.15.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.