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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
1.15.371.15.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.15.28inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

स्वराट् पौत्रं विनयिनमात्मन: सुसमं गुणै: ।

तोयनीव्या: पतिं भूमेरभ्यषिञ्चद्गजाह्वये ॥ ३८ ॥

sva-rāṭ pautraṁ vinayinam

ātmanaḥ susamaṁ guṇaiḥ

toya-nīvyāḥ patiṁ bhūmer

abhyaṣiñcad gajāhvaye

Translation

Thereafter, in the capital of Hastināpura, he enthroned his grandson, who was trained and equally qualified, as the emperor and master of all land bordered by the seas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Responsible Leadership Supports Spiritual Progress

  1. 1

    Before departing for Godhead, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira enthroned Mahārāja Parīkṣit at Hastināpura. He had trained his grandson in administration and the king’s obligations to the citizens.

  2. 2

    Good administration brought happiness and ample natural necessities to the citizens. People were trained to attain life’s highest goal and were enlightened enough not to quarrel over trivialities.

  3. 3

    Kali’s influence gradually damaged the qualities of both rulers and citizens, creating tension between them. Even amid such disparity, spiritual advancement and God consciousness remain possible.

Key points from the purport
  • The total land on the earth bordered by the seas was under the subjugation of the King of Hastināpura.
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira trained his grandson, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was equally qualified, in state administration in terms of the king’s obligation to the citizens.
  • Why was the King of Hastināpura, at least till the time of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, accepted as the Emperor of the world?

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. sva-rāṭthe emperor
  2. pautramunto the grandson
  3. vinayinamproperly trained
  4. ātmanaḥhis own self
  5. su-samamequal in all respects
  6. guṇaiḥby the qualities
  7. toya-nīvyāḥbordered by the seas
  8. patimmaster
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “emperor”, “king’s”, “rulers”

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 can the responsibilities you hold support both others’ well-being and spiritual progress?

Practice

In one responsibility today, consider what those depending on you actually need, and take one concrete step to help.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayResponsible Leadership Supports Spiritual ProgressThis 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 1.15.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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