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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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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 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada
1.4.11.4.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.4.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

शौनक उवाच

सूत सूत महाभाग वद नो वदतां वर ।

कथां भागवतीं पुण्यां यदाह भगवाञ्छुक: ॥ २ ॥

śaunaka uvāca

sūta sūta mahā-bhāga

vada no vadatāṁ vara

kathāṁ bhāgavatīṁ puṇyāṁ

yad āha bhagavāñ chukaḥ

Translation

Śaunaka said: O Sūta Gosvāmī, you are the most fortunate and respected of all those who can speak and recite. Please relate the pious message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which was spoken by the great and powerful sage Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear Through Faithful Representatives

  1. 1

    Śaunaka and the assembly were joyful and eager to hear the Bhāgavatam spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

  2. 2

    The purport rejects interpretations that twist the Bhāgavatam to support impersonal views or misexplain the Lord's confidential pastimes. Such readings cannot enter into the personal activities of the Supreme Person.

  3. 3

    Genuine discussion requires a speaker who presents the Bhāgavatam in the light of Śukadeva Gosvāmī. The listeners must also be prepared to hear him and his representative.

Key points from the purport
  • Sūta Gosvāmī is twice addressed herein by Śaunaka Gosvāmī out of great joy because he and the members of the assembly were eager to hear the text of Bhāgavatam uttered by Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
  • Neither of these reciters are bona fide persons to recite Bhāgavatam.
  • Only one who is prepared to present Bhāgavatam in the light of Śukadeva Gosvāmī and only those who are prepared to hear Śukadeva Gosvāmī and his representative are bona fide participants in the transcendental discussion of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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. śaunakaḥŚaunaka
  2. uvācasaid
  3. sūta sūtaO Sūta Gosvāmī
  4. mahā-bhāgathe most fortunate
  5. vadaplease speak
  6. naḥunto us
  7. vadatāmof those who can speak
  8. vararespected
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “recite”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to receive the Bhāgavatam faithfully rather than seek support for my own views?

Practice

Read this translation slowly, setting aside one personal assumption and attending to what it actually says.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear Through Faithful RepresentativesThis 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 1.4.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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