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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
1.15.501.16.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.15.51

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.15.28inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

य: श्रद्धयैतद् भगवत्प्रियाणां

पाण्डो: सुतानामिति सम्प्रयाणम् ।

श‍ृणोत्यलं स्वस्त्ययनं पवित्रं

लब्ध्वा हरौ भक्तिमुपैति सिद्धिम् ॥ ५१ ॥

yaḥ śraddhayaitad bhagavat-priyāṇāṁ

pāṇḍoḥ sutānām iti samprayāṇam

śṛṇoty alaṁ svastyayanaṁ pavitraṁ

labdhvā harau bhaktim upaiti siddhim

Translation

The subject of the departure of the sons of Pāṇḍu for the ultimate goal of life, back to Godhead, is fully auspicious and is perfectly pure. Therefore anyone who hears this narration with devotional faith certainly gains the devotional service of the Lord, the highest perfection of life.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hearing with Faith Leads Back to Godhead

  1. 1

    The narration of the sons of Pāṇḍu departing back to Godhead is fully auspicious and perfectly pure. Hearing it with devotional faith brings devotional service of the Lord, the highest perfection of life.

  2. 2

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam narrates the Personality of Godhead and His devotees, such as the Pāṇḍavas. Hearing these absolute narrations with a devotional attitude is association with the Lord and His constant companions.

  3. 3

    By hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one can attain the highest perfection of life without failure: going back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is a narration about the Personality of Godhead and the devotees of the Lord like the Pāṇḍavas.
  • The narration of the Personality of Godhead and His devotees is absolute in itself, and thus to hear it with a devotional attitude is to associate with the Lord and constant companions of the Lord.
  • By the process of hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam one can attain the highest perfection of life, namely going back home, back to Godhead, without failure.

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. yaḥanyone who
  2. śraddhayāwith devotion
  3. etatthis
  4. bhagavat-priyāṇāmof those who are very dear to the Personality of Godhead
  5. pāṇḍoḥof Pāṇḍu
  6. sutānāmof the sons
  7. itithus
  8. samprayāṇamdeparture for the ultimate goal
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “narration”, “hearing”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.15

    In this verse: “companions”

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 I approach hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as association with the Lord and His devotees?

Practice

Today, read this translation aloud and listen attentively, with a desire to gain devotional service of the Lord.

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 todayHearing with Faith Leads Back 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.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 1.15.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.