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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
1.4.321.5.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.33

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

तमभिज्ञाय सहसा प्रत्युत्थायागतं मुनि: ।

पूजयामास विधिवन्नारदं सुरपूजितम् ॥ ३३ ॥

tam abhijñāya sahasā

pratyutthāyāgataṁ muniḥ

pūjayām āsa vidhivan

nāradaṁ sura-pūjitam

Translation

At the auspicious arrival of Śrī Nārada, Śrī Vyāsadeva got up respectfully and worshiped him, giving him veneration equal to that given to Brahmājī, the creator.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Respect the Spiritual Master's Representative

  1. 1

    At Śrī Nārada’s auspicious arrival, Śrī Vyāsadeva rose respectfully and worshiped him with the same honor given to Brahmājī.

  2. 2

    Brahmā is the original student and teacher of the Vedas. He learned them from Śrī Kṛṣṇa and first taught Nārada, the second ācārya in the spiritual disciplic succession.

  3. 3

    Nārada is respected like Brahmā because he is Brahmā’s representative. Similarly, successive disciples in the chain are equally respected as representatives of the original spiritual master.

Key points from the purport
  • Vidhi means Brahmā, the first created living being.
  • So Nārada is the second ācārya in the line of spiritual disciplic succession.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the First Canto, Fourth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Appearance of Śrī Nārada.”

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. tam abhijñāyaseeing the good fortune of his (Nārada’s) arrival
  2. sahasāall of a sudden
  3. pratyutthāyagetting up
  4. āgatamarrived at
  5. muniḥVyāsadeva
  6. pūjayām āsaworship
  7. vidhi-vatwith the same respect as offered to Vidhi (Brahmā)
  8. nāradamto Nārada
  9. sura-pūjitamworshiped by the demigods
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worshiped”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can understanding whom a spiritual teacher represents deepen my respect for that teacher?

Practice

Today, pause before studying spiritual teachings and offer a respectful prayer of gratitude to the teachers who have passed down knowledge from Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRespect the Spiritual Master's RepresentativeThis 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 1.4.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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