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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 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.321.17.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.33

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 1.17.31inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

न वर्तितव्यं तदधर्मबन्धो

धर्मेण सत्येन च वर्तितव्ये ।

ब्रह्मावर्ते यत्र यजन्ति यज्ञै-

र्यज्ञेश्वरं यज्ञवितानविज्ञा: ॥ ३३ ॥

na vartitavyaṁ tad adharma-bandho

dharmeṇa satyena ca vartitavye

brahmāvarte yatra yajanti yajñair

yajñeśvaraṁ yajña-vitāna-vijñāḥ

Translation

Therefore, O friend of irreligion, you do not deserve to remain in a place where experts perform sacrifices according to truth and religious principles for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sacrifice Means Pleasing the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Yajñeśvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the beneficiary of all sacrifices. Sacrifice means accepting His supremacy and acting for His satisfaction.

  2. 2

    Truthfulness is the basic principle of religion, and satisfying the Lord is its ultimate goal. Different forms of sacrifice should share this central purpose.

  3. 3

    Lord Caitanya preached saṅkīrtana-yajña as the common sacrifice for this age. It may be performed anywhere to counteract Kali’s influence.

Key points from the purport
  • Yajñeśvara, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the beneficiary of all kinds of sacrificial ceremonies.
  • The atheists do not believe in the existence of God, and they do not perform any sacrifice for the satisfaction of the Lord.
  • Any place or country where the supremacy of the Lord is accepted and thus sacrifice is performed is called brahmāvarta.

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. vartitavyamdeserve to remain
  3. tattherefore
  4. adharmairreligiosity
  5. bandhofriend
  6. dharmeṇawith religion
  7. satyenawith truth
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”, “religion”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “friend”

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 make pleasing the Lord, rather than pleasing myself, the purpose of an action?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today for saṅkīrtana-yajña, chanting the Lord’s glories with others if possible.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySacrifice Means Pleasing the Supreme 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 1.17.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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