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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
1.19.291.19.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.30

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
A turning point forŚukadeva Gosvāmī· The teacher arrives

स संवृतस्तत्र महान् महीयसां

ब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिदेवर्षिसङ्घै: ।

व्यरोचतालं भगवान् यथेन्दु-

र्ग्रहर्क्षतारानिकरै: परीत: ॥ ३० ॥

sa saṁvṛtas tatra mahān mahīyasāṁ

brahmarṣi-rājarṣi-devarṣi-saṅghaiḥ

vyarocatālaṁ bhagavān yathendur

graharkṣa-tārā-nikaraiḥ parītaḥ

Translation

Śukadeva Gosvāmī was then surrounded by saintly sages and demigods just as the moon is surrounded by stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. His presence was gorgeous, and he was respected by all.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Never Minimize the Lord’s Devotee

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī shone among the assembled sages and demigods like the moon among the stars. Everyone respected him.

  2. 2

    Although some in the assembly were powerful incarnations of the Lord, Śukadeva Gosvāmī excelled them in the respect he received.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that the Lord’s devotee is more honored than the Lord Himself. We should therefore never minimize a devotee like Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Key points from the purport
  • In the great assembly of saintly personalities, there was Vyāsadeva the brahmarṣi, Nārada the devarṣi, Paraśurāma the great ruler of the kṣatriya kings, etc. Some of them were powerful incarnations of the Lord.
  • Śukadeva Gosvāmī was not known as brahmarṣi, rājarṣi or devarṣi, nor was he an incarnation like Nārada, Vyāsa or Paraśurāma.
  • One should therefore never minimize the importance of a devotee like Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

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. saḥŚrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī
  2. saṁvṛtaḥsurrounded by
  3. tatrathere
  4. mahāngreat
  5. mahīyasāmof the greatest
  6. brahmarṣisaint among the brāhmaṇas
  7. rājarṣisaint among the kings
  8. devarṣisaint among the demigods
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I recognize the importance of the Lord’s devotees beyond their titles or public standing?

Practice

Take a moment today to express sincere respect for a devotee’s service to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.19's connections

Live this todayNever Minimize the Lord’s DevoteeThis 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 1.19.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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