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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 1.15.43

Who is speaking and story frame

चीरवासा निराहारो बद्धवाङ्‍मुक्तमूर्धज: ।

दर्शयन्नात्मनो रूपं जडोन्मत्तपिशाचवत् ।

अनवेक्षमाणो निरगादश‍ृण्वन्बधिरो यथा ॥ ४३ ॥

cīra-vāsā nirāhāro

baddha-vāṅ mukta-mūrdhajaḥ

darśayann ātmano rūpaṁ

jaḍonmatta-piśācavat

anavekṣamāṇo niragād

aśṛṇvan badhiro yathā

Translation

After that, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira dressed himself in torn clothing, gave up eating all solid foods, voluntarily became dumb and let his hair hang loose. All this combined to make him look like an urchin or madman with no occupation. He did not depend on his brothers for anything. And, just like a deaf man, he heard nothing.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Freedom From External Affairs Brings Fearlessness

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira became free from external affairs, imperial life and family prestige.

  2. 2

    He accepted torn clothing and stopped speaking about material affairs. His outward appearance no longer reflected his former royal position.

  3. 3

    He no longer depended on the brothers who had always helped him. The purport calls this complete independence from everything the purified stage of fearlessness.

Key points from the purport
  • Thus being freed from all external affairs, he had nothing to do with imperial life or family prestige, and for all practical purposes he posed himself exactly like an inert mad urchin and did not speak of material affairs.
  • He had no dependence on his brothers, who had all along been helping him.
  • This stage of complete independence from everything is also called the purified stage of fearlessness.

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. cīra-vāsāḥaccepted torn clothing
  2. nirāhāraḥgave up all solid foodstuff
  3. baddha-vākstopped talking
  4. mukta-mūrdhajaḥuntied his hair
  5. darśayanbegan to show
  6. ātmanaḥof himself
  7. rūpambodily features
  8. jaḍainert
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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

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

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

    In this verse: “gave up”, “free from”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 much does concern for prestige influence my daily choices?

Practice

Today, let one opportunity to speak about your status or achievements pass without taking it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFreedom From External Affairs Brings FearlessnessThis 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 1.15.43? Get an answer from the verses themselves.