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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
1.17.371.17.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.38

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.38inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

अभ्यर्थितस्तदा तस्मै स्थानानि कलये ददौ ।

द्यूतं पानं स्त्रिय: सूना यत्राधर्मश्चतुर्विध: ॥ ३८ ॥

sūta uvāca

abhyarthitas tadā tasmai

sthānāni kalaye dadau

dyūtaṁ pānaṁ striyaḥ sūnā

yatrādharmaś catur-vidhaḥ

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Mahārāja Parīkṣit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Restrain Harmful Habits, Cultivate Devotional Service

  1. 1

    Kali was allowed to reside where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter occurred. Irreligious habits oppose austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness.

  2. 2

    Scriptural concessions for those attached to material enjoyment are meant to regulate their habits gradually toward liberation. They are not encouragement to continue irreligious activities.

  3. 3

    The purport recommends acting for the Lord’s satisfaction, hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, chanting His glories and serving those who teach it. These practices help create an atmosphere of God consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • The personality of Kali was given permission to live in four places particularly mentioned by the King, namely the place of gambling, the place of prostitution, the place of drinking and the place of animal slaughter.
  • And to make the best use of a bad bargain, the personality of Kali may be transferred to places of gambling, drinking, prostitution and slaughterhouses, if there are any places like that.
  • In other words, the state should categorically stop all sorts of gambling, drinking, prostitution and falsity.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sūtaḥ uvācaSūta Gosvāmī said
  2. abhyarthitaḥthus being petitioned
  3. tadāat that time
  4. tasmaiunto him
  5. sthānāniplaces
  6. kalayeto the personality of Kali
  7. dadaugave him permission
  8. dyūtamgambling
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

Which habit or influence could I replace with an activity that nourishes devotional service?

Practice

Spend five minutes today hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from an authorized teacher.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

Quoted in 27 lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 27 lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayRestrain Harmful Habits, Cultivate Devotional ServiceOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 1.17.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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