1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.171.17.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.18

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The personality of religionsince 1.17.17inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

न वयं क्लेशबीजानि यत: स्यु: पुरुषर्षभ ।

पुरुषं तं विजानीमो वाक्यभेदविमोहिता: ॥ १८ ॥

na vayaṁ kleśa-bījāni

yataḥ syuḥ puruṣarṣabha

puruṣaṁ taṁ vijānīmo

vākya-bheda-vimohitāḥ

Translation

O greatest among human beings, it is very difficult to ascertain the particular miscreant who has caused our sufferings, because we are bewildered by all the different opinions of theoretical philosophers.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Look Beyond Blame Toward the Lord

  1. 1

    Theoretical philosophers offer differing explanations for suffering. Such speculation cannot establish the Supreme Lord as the ultimate cause of all causes.

  2. 2

    The bull and cow knew that Kali directly caused their suffering, yet also understood that nothing could happen without the Lord’s sanction. As devotees, they declined to accuse the direct offender.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that past sins bear fruit as trouble, but pure devotional service gradually removes even these seeds. Devotees tolerate suffering, regarding it as a smaller measure than they might otherwise have received.

Key points from the purport
  • There are many theoretical philosophers in the world who put forward their own theories of cause and effect especially about the cause of suffering and its effect on different living beings.
  • Speculative philosophers, however, do not recognize the sanction of the Lord; they try to find out the cause of sufferings in their own way, as will be described in the following verses.
  • According to Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, such speculators are themselves bewildered, and thus they cannot know that the ultimate cause of all causes is the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead.

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

Moral alarm → Resolve. The king's duty is tested in a deteriorating age.

Chapters 16–17 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit confronts Kali. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali

Parīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. vayamwe
  3. kleśa-bījānithe root cause of sufferings
  4. yataḥwherefrom
  5. syuḥit so happens
  6. puruṣa-ṛṣabhaO greatest of all human beings
  7. puruṣamthe person
  8. tamthat
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “sufferings”, “suffering”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.17

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “philosophers”

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

When distressed, can I turn toward devotional service instead of remaining absorbed in blame?

Practice

When a frustration arises today, pause before blaming someone and spend a moment remembering the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLook Beyond Blame Toward the LordThis 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 1.17.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories