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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 15: The Pāṇḍavas Retire Timely
1.15.11.15.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.15.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

शोकेन शुष्यद्वदनहृत्सरोजो हतप्रभ: ।

विभुं तमेवानुस्मरन्नाशक्नोत्प्रतिभाषितुम् ॥ २ ॥

śokena śuṣyad-vadana-

hṛt-sarojo hata-prabhaḥ

vibhuṁ tam evānusmaran

nāśaknot pratibhāṣitum

Translation

Due to grief, Arjuna’s mouth and lotuslike heart had dried up. Therefore his body lost all luster. Now, remembering the Supreme Lord, he could hardly utter a word in reply.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remembering the Supreme Lord Amid Grief

  1. 1

    Arjuna’s grief dried up his mouth and lotuslike heart.

  2. 2

    His body lost all its luster because of his bereavement.

  3. 3

    Even while remembering the Supreme Lord, Arjuna could hardly utter a word in reply.

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. śokenadue to bereavement
  2. śuṣyat-vadanadrying up of the mouth
  3. hṛt-sarojaḥlotuslike heart
  4. hatalost
  5. prabhaḥbodily luster
  6. vibhumthe Supreme
  7. tamunto Lord Kṛṣṇa
  8. evacertainly
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “luster”

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 stands out to you about Arjuna remembering the Supreme Lord while unable to speak?

Practice

Spend one quiet minute remembering the Supreme Lord without trying to put your feelings into words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemembering the Supreme Lord Amid GriefThis 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 1.15.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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