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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
1.4.271.4.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Texts 1.4.28-29

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.4.14inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

धृतव्रतेन हि मया छन्दांसि गुरवोऽग्नय: ।

मानिता निर्व्यलीकेन गृहीतं चानुशासनम् ॥ २८ ॥

भारतव्यपदेशेन ह्याम्नायार्थश्च प्रदर्शित: ।

द‍ृश्यते यत्र धर्मादि स्त्रीशूद्रादिभिरप्युत ॥ २९ ॥

dhṛta-vratena hi mayā

chandāṁsi guravo ’gnayaḥ

mānitā nirvyalīkena

gṛhītaṁ cānuśāsanam

bhārata-vyapadeśena

hy āmnāyārthaś ca pradarśitaḥ

dṛśyate yatra dharmādi

strī-śūdrādibhir apy uta

Translation

I have, under strict disciplinary vows, unpretentiously worshiped the Vedas, the spiritual masters and the altar of sacrifice. I have also abided by the rulings and have shown the import of disciplic succession through the explanation of the Mahābhārata, by which even women, śūdras and others [friends of the twice-born] can see the path of religion.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Discipline Supports Vedic Understanding

  1. 1

    The sage had sincerely worshiped the Vedas, the spiritual masters and the altar of sacrifice under strict disciplinary vows.

  2. 2

    Understanding the meaning of the Vedas requires discipline and disciplic succession. Respect for the Vedas, spiritual masters and sacrificial fire is part of this preparation.

  3. 3

    The Mahābhārata systematically presents Vedic knowledge so that those without the required qualifications can see the path of religion. The purport calls it more essential in this age than the original Vedas.

Key points from the purport
  • No one can understand the import of the Vedas without having undergone a strict disciplinary vow and disciplic succession.
  • The Vedas, spiritual masters and sacrificial fire must be worshiped by the desiring candidate.
  • In this age, the Mahābhārata is more essential than the original Vedas.

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. dhṛta-vratenaunder a strict disciplinary vow
  2. hicertainly
  3. mayāby me
  4. chandāṁsithe Vedic hymns
  5. guravaḥthe spiritual masters
  6. agnayaḥthe sacrificial fire
  7. mānitāḥproperly worshiped
  8. nirvyalīkenawithout pretense
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “worshiped”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “religion”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Is my spiritual study supported by sincere discipline, or mainly by occasional interest?

Practice

Set aside a brief, fixed time for spiritual study today, and keep that commitment without pretense.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Discipline Supports Vedic UnderstandingThis 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 1.4.28-29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.