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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
1.19.271.19.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.28

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

श्यामं सदापीव्यवयोऽङ्गलक्ष्म्या

स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरस्मितेन ।

प्रत्युत्थितास्ते मुनय: स्वासनेभ्य-

स्तल्लक्षणज्ञा अपि गूढवर्चसम् ॥ २८ ॥

śyāmaṁ sadāpīvya-vayo-’ṅga-lakṣmyā

strīṇāṁ mano-jñaṁ rucira-smitena

pratyutthitās te munayaḥ svāsanebhyas

tal-lakṣaṇa-jñā api gūḍha-varcasam

Translation

He was blackish and very beautiful due to his youth. Because of the glamor of his body and his attractive smiles, he was pleasing to women. Though he tried to cover his natural glories, the great sages present there were all expert in the art of physiognomy, and so they honored him by rising from their seats.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize Greatness Even When It Is Hidden

  1. 1

    He was blackish and beautiful in his youth. His bodily beauty and attractive smiles were pleasing to women.

  2. 2

    He tried to cover his natural glories. Nevertheless, the assembled sages recognized his distinguishing signs.

  3. 3

    The sages were expert in understanding bodily features. They rose from their seats to honor him.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śyāmamblackish
  2. sadāalways
  3. apīvyaexcessively
  4. vayaḥage
  5. aṅgasymptoms
  6. lakṣmyāby the opulence of
  7. strīṇāmof the fair sex
  8. manaḥ-jñamattractive
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “understanding”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I ready to offer respect to someone who does not advertise their own greatness?

Practice

Offer a simple, respectful greeting today to someone whose good qualities are quietly expressed.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize Greatness Even When It Is HiddenThis 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 1.19.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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