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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 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada
1.4.161.4.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 1.4.17-18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.4.14inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

भौतिकानां च भावानां शक्तिह्रासं च तत्कृतम् ।

अश्रद्दधानान्नि:सत्त्वान्दुर्मेधान् ह्रसितायुष: ॥ १७ ॥

दुर्भगांश्च जनान् वीक्ष्य मुनिर्दिव्येन चक्षुषा ।

सर्ववर्णाश्रमाणां यद्दध्यौ हितममोघद‍ृक् ॥ १८ ॥

bhautikānāṁ ca bhāvānāṁ

śakti-hrāsaṁ ca tat-kṛtam

aśraddadhānān niḥsattvān

durmedhān hrasitāyuṣaḥ

durbhagāṁś ca janān vīkṣya

munir divyena cakṣuṣā

sarva-varṇāśramāṇāṁ yad

dadhyau hitam amogha-dṛk

Translation

The great sage, who was fully equipped in knowledge, could see through his transcendental vision the deterioration of everything material due to the influence of the age. He could also see that the faithless people in general would be reduced in duration of life and would be impatient due to lack of goodness. Thus he contemplated for the welfare of men in all statuses and orders of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Selfless Devotees Work for Everyone's Welfare

  1. 1

    The powerful influence of time causes material things to deteriorate. In Kali-yuga, reduced nourishment, shorter lives and weaker memory add to people's difficulties.

  2. 2

    Through transcendental vision, Vyāsadeva saw these conditions and considered the welfare of people in every status and order of life.

  3. 3

    Devotees who represent his mission are selfless workers and real friends of the people. Their common aim is to deliver fallen souls back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • In this age the duration of the material body of the people in general is much reduced, and so is the memory.
  • And all such transcendentalists, who are naturally devotees of the Lord, are always eager to render welfare service to the people in general.
  • In this age the people in general as well as their so-called leaders are all unlucky fellows, faithless in spiritual knowledge and influenced by the Age of Kali.

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

Dissatisfaction → Inspired clarity. Even great accomplishment leaves Vyāsa without contentment until devotion is centered.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 1: Vyāsa is dissatisfied; Nārada directs him to the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada

The sages inquire about Parīkṣit, while Sūta describes Vyāsadeva’s division of the Vedas and dissatisfaction.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhautikānām caalso of everything that is made of matter
  2. bhāvānāmactions
  3. śakti-hrāsam caand deterioration of natural power
  4. tat-kṛtamrendered by that
  5. aśraddadhānānof the faithless
  6. niḥsattvānimpatient due to want of the mode of goodness
  7. durmedhāndull-witted
  8. hrasitareduced
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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 1.4

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “welfare”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How receptive am I to spiritual guidance offered for my lasting welfare?

Practice

Spend five attentive minutes reading this purport as guidance from a selfless spiritual well-wisher.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySelfless Devotees Work for Everyone's WelfareThis 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 1.4.17-18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.