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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
1.4.251.4.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.26

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

एवं प्रवृत्तस्य सदा भूतानां श्रेयसि द्विजा: ।

सर्वात्मकेनापि यदा नातुष्यद्‍धृदयं तत: ॥ २६ ॥

evaṁ pravṛttasya sadā

bhūtānāṁ śreyasi dvijāḥ

sarvātmakenāpi yadā

nātuṣyad dhṛdayaṁ tataḥ

Translation

O twice-born brāhmaṇas, still his mind was not satisfied, although he engaged himself in working for the total welfare of all people.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Great Work May Leave the Heart Unsatisfied

  1. 1

    Śrī Vyāsadeva worked for the total welfare of all people.

  2. 2

    He prepared literatures of Vedic value for the all-around welfare of the general public.

  3. 3

    Although such activities were expected to satisfy him, he remained dissatisfied with himself.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrī Vyāsadeva was not satisfied with himself, although he had prepared literatures of Vedic value for the all-around welfare of the general mass of people.
  • It was expected that he would be satisfied by all such activities, but ultimately he was not satisfied.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus
  2. pravṛttasyaone who is engaged in
  3. sadāalways
  4. bhūtānāmof the living beings
  5. śreyasiin the ultimate good
  6. dvijāḥO twice-born
  7. sarvātmakena apiby all means
  8. yadāwhen
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Have I honestly noticed how my heart feels, even when I have accomplished something worthwhile?

Practice

Take one quiet minute to acknowledge whether you feel inwardly satisfied, without assuming your accomplishments settle the question.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreat Work May Leave the Heart UnsatisfiedThis 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 1.4.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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