1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 3: Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations
1.3.31.3.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.3.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.3.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

पश्यन्त्यदो रूपमदभ्रचक्षुषा

सहस्रपादोरुभुजाननाद्भुतम् ।

सहस्रमूर्धश्रवणाक्षिनासिकं

सहस्रमौल्यम्बरकुण्डलोल्लसत् ॥ ४ ॥

paśyanty ado rūpam adabhra-cakṣuṣā

sahasra-pādoru-bhujānanādbhutam

sahasra-mūrdha-śravaṇākṣi-nāsikaṁ

sahasra-mauly-ambara-kuṇḍalollasat

Translation

The devotees, with their perfect eyes, see the transcendental form of the puruṣa who has thousands of legs, thighs, arms and faces — all extraordinary. In that body there are thousands of heads, ears, eyes and noses. They are decorated with thousands of helmets and glowing earrings and are adorned with garlands.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Reveals the Lord

  1. 1

    Our present materialized senses cannot perceive the transcendental Lord. Through devotional service the senses become purified, and the Lord reveals Himself.

  2. 2

    We should learn about the Lord’s form from devotees who have actually seen Him with eyes purified by devotional service. Receiving their experience is a valid way of gaining knowledge.

  3. 3

    Only pure devotional service can reveal the Lord and lead us to His side. Understanding His transcendental form requires patience and perseverance.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Bhagavad-gītā it is confirmed that the transcendental Lord can be perceived only by pure devotional service.
  • In the Brahma-saṁhitā also it is said that the Lord is always visible to the devotees whose eyes have been anointed with the tinge of devotional service.
  • So we have to take information of the transcendental form of the Lord from persons who have actually seen Him with perfect eyes smeared with devotional service.

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

Concern → Purpose. A spiritually urgent question emerges for the age of Kali.

Chapters 1–3 of Canto 1: The sages ask the ultimate questions. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 3: Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations

Sūta describes the Lord’s incarnations and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as His literary incarnation.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. paśyantisee
  2. adaḥthe form of the puruṣa
  3. rūpamform
  4. adabhraperfect
  5. cakṣuṣāby the eyes
  6. sahasra-pādathousands of legs
  7. ūruthighs
  8. bhuja-ānanahands and faces
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 1.3

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.3

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.3

    In this verse: “purified”

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 approach learning about the Lord with greater patience and a desire to serve?

Practice

Spend five attentive minutes reading this description of the Lord’s form with a desire to know and serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Reveals the 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 1.3.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories