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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 3: Kṛṣṇa Is the Source of All Incarnations
1.3.391.3.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.3.40

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

इदं भागवतं नाम पुराणं ब्रह्मसम्मितम् ।

उत्तमश्लोकचरितं चकार भगवानृषि: ।

नि:श्रेयसाय लोकस्य धन्यं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् ॥ ४० ॥

idaṁ bhāgavataṁ nāma

purāṇaṁ brahma-sammitam

uttama-śloka-caritaṁ

cakāra bhagavān ṛṣiḥ

niḥśreyasāya lokasya

dhanyaṁ svasty-ayanaṁ mahat

Translation

This Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of God, and it is compiled by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, the incarnation of God. It is meant for the ultimate good of all people, and it is all-successful, all-blissful and all-perfect.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Is Kṛṣṇa’s Literary Incarnation

  1. 1

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and is nondifferent from Him. Compiled by Śrīla Vyāsadeva, it is meant for the ultimate good of all people.

  2. 2

    We should worship Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam as respectfully as we worship the Lord. Careful and patient study brings His transcendental blessings.

  3. 3

    The lessons of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam should be received through a self-realized, bona fide spiritual master. Through this medium, its study can bring the benefits of the Lord’s personal presence.

Key points from the purport
  • Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu declared that Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the spotless sound representation of all Vedic knowledge and history.
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the literary incarnation of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and is therefore nondifferent from Him.
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam should be worshiped as respectfully as we worship the Lord.

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. idamthis
  2. bhāgavatambook containing the narration of the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees
  3. nāmaof the name
  4. purāṇamsupplementary to the Vedas
  5. brahma-sammitamincarnation of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
  6. uttama-ślokaof the Personality of Godhead
  7. caritamactivities
  8. cakāracompiled
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: “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.3

    In this verse: “blessings”

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 bring more respect and patience to my study of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam?

Practice

Set aside five undistracted minutes today to study this translation and purport carefully and respectfully.

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 1.3's connections

Live this todayŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam Is Kṛṣṇa’s Literary IncarnationThis 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 1.3.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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