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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
1.15.47-481.15.50

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.49

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

विदुरोऽपि परित्यज्य प्रभासे देहमात्मन: ।

कृष्णावेशेन तच्चित्त: पितृभि: स्वक्षयं ययौ ॥ ४९ ॥

viduro ’pi parityajya

prabhāse deham ātmanaḥ

kṛṣṇāveśena tac-cittaḥ

pitṛbhiḥ sva-kṣayaṁ yayau

Translation

Vidura, while on pilgrimage, left his body at Prabhāsa. Because he was absorbed in thought of Kṛṣṇa, he was received by the denizens of the Pitṛloka planet, where he returned to his original post.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Sustains Remembrance of Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Vidura left his body at Prabhāsa while absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa. He returned to his original post in Pitṛloka.

  2. 2

    Vidura was Yamarāja, an administrative demigod and eternal servant of the Lord. Devotees have nothing to fear from Yamarāja, who is their cordial friend.

  3. 3

    Vidura’s ardent devotional service enabled him always to remember the Lord’s lotus feet. His instructions also brought salvation to the materialistic Dhṛtarāṣṭra.

Key points from the purport
  • The difference between the Pāṇḍavas and Vidura is that the Pāṇḍavas are eternal associates of the Lord, the Personality of Godhead, whereas Vidura is one of the administrative demigods in charge of the Pitṛloka planet and is known as Yamarāja.
  • The demigods are also associates of the Lord without personal touch, whereas the direct associates of the Lord are in constant personal touch with Him.
  • The Lord and His personal associates incarnate in many universes without cessation.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 1.15.49 quotesBG 4.5

This is corroborated in the Bhagavad-gītā (4.5).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. viduraḥVidura (the uncle of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira)
  2. apialso
  3. parityajyaafter quitting the body
  4. prabhāsein the place of pilgrimage at Prabhāsa
  5. deham ātmanaḥhis body
  6. kṛṣṇathe Personality of Godhead
  7. āveśenabeing absorbed in that thought
  8. tathis
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “materialistic”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “fear”

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 my daily service help me remember Kṛṣṇa more consistently?

Practice

During one act of devotional service today, consciously bring your thoughts back to Kṛṣṇa.

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 todayDevotional Service Sustains Remembrance of KṛṣṇaThis 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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