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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
1.15.381.15.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.39

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.15.28inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

मथुरायां तथा वज्रं शूरसेनपतिं तत: ।

प्राजापत्यां निरूप्येष्टिमग्नीनपिबदीश्वर: ॥ ३९ ॥

mathurāyāṁ tathā vajraṁ

śūrasena-patiṁ tataḥ

prājāpatyāṁ nirūpyeṣṭim

agnīn apibad īśvaraḥ

Translation

Then he posted Vajra, the son of Aniruddha [grandson of Lord Kṛṣṇa], at Mathurā as the King of Śūrasena. Afterwards Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira performed a Prājāpatya sacrifice and placed in himself the fire for quitting household life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Arrange Life Around Returning to Godhead

  1. 1

    After arranging qualified leadership, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira accepted the renounced order of life. He voluntarily left administration to prepare for the next life.

  2. 2

    Varṇāśrama-dharma includes four occupational divisions and four orders of life. The orders of brahmacārya, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa apply irrespective of one’s occupation.

  3. 3

    Life should be arranged so that its final stage can be fully devoted to the Lord’s devotional service. Absorption in work for material enjoyment keeps one bound, whereas the highest perfection is returning home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, after placing Mahārāja Parīkṣit on the imperial throne of Hastināpura, and after posting Vajra, the great-grandson of Lord Kṛṣṇa, as the King of Mathurā, accepted the renounced order of life.
  • The system of four orders of life and four castes in terms of quality and work, known as varṇāśrama-dharma, is the beginning of real human life, and Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, as the protector of this system of human activities, timely retired from active life as a sannyāsī, handing over the charge of the administration to a trained prince, Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
  • Modern politicians do not wish to retire from active life, even if they are old enough, but Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, as an ideal king, voluntarily retired from active administrative life to prepare himself for the next life.

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. mathurāyāmat Mathurā
  2. tathāalso
  3. vajramVajra
  4. śūrasena-patimKing of the Śūrasenas
  5. tataḥthereafter
  6. prājāpatyāmPrājāpatya sacrifice
  7. nirūpyahaving performed
  8. iṣṭimgoal
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”, “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “king”, “administration”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “renounced”

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 could your present arrangements better support lifelong devotional service?

Practice

Review today’s schedule and dedicate one small block of time to devotional service rather than material enjoyment.

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 todayArrange Life Around Returning to GodheadThis 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.

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