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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 19: The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
1.19.241.19.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.25

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 1.19.23inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तत्राभवद्भगवान् व्यासपुत्रो

यद‍ृच्छया गामटमानोऽनपेक्ष: ।

अलक्ष्यलिङ्गो निजलाभतुष्टो

वृतश्च बालैरवधूतवेष: ॥ २५ ॥

tatrābhavad bhagavān vyāsa-putro

yadṛcchayā gām aṭamāno ’napekṣaḥ

alakṣya-liṅgo nija-lābha-tuṣṭo

vṛtaś ca bālair avadhūta-veṣaḥ

Translation

At that moment there appeared the powerful son of Vyāsadeva, who traveled over the earth disinterested and satisfied with himself. He did not manifest any symptoms of belonging to any social order or status of life. He was surrounded with women and children, and he dressed as if others had neglected him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings True Self-Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī was disinterested in material affairs because he was self-satisfied through devotional service. He traveled freely without displaying signs of social order or status.

  2. 2

    His father, Vyāsadeva, was his natural spiritual master, from whom he heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Formal processes are necessary for those approaching liberation, but he was already liberated by his father’s grace.

  3. 3

    The sages had differing prescriptions for spiritual salvation when Śukadeva Gosvāmī arrived. Yet the ultimate aim of life is the highest perfection of devotional service to the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • The word bhagavān is sometimes used in relation with some of the great devotees of the Lord, like Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
  • His father, Vyāsadeva, was his natural spiritual master because Śukadeva Gosvāmī heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from him.
  • While such things were going on, the great and powerful son of Vyāsadeva appeared on the scene.

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

Remorse and urgency → Surrender and inquiry. Seven days to live become the impetus for complete spiritual hearing.

Chapters 18–19 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit is cursed and welcomes Śukadeva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 19: The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī

Parīkṣit accepts impending death, sits beside the Ganges, and asks Śukadeva Gosvāmī about perfection.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.19
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrathere
  2. abhavatappeared
  3. bhagavānpowerful
  4. vyāsa-putraḥson of Vyāsadeva
  5. yadṛcchayāas one desires
  6. gāmthe earth
  7. aṭamānaḥwhile traveling
  8. anapekṣaḥdisinterested
3

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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “children”, “father”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “heard”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I looking for satisfaction chiefly in material affairs or in devotional service?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing or reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today with devotional service as your aim.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Brings True Self-SatisfactionThis 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 1.19.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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