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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
1.4.51.4.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.6

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

कथमालक्षित: पौरै: सम्प्राप्त: कुरुजाङ्गलान् ।

उन्मत्तमूकजडवद्विचरन् गजसाह्वये ॥ ६ ॥

katham ālakṣitaḥ pauraiḥ

samprāptaḥ kuru-jāṅgalān

unmatta-mūka-jaḍavad

vicaran gaja-sāhvaye

Translation

How was he [Śrīla Śukadeva, the son of Vyāsa] recognized by the citizens when he entered the city of Hastināpura [now Delhi], after wandering in the provinces of Kuru and Jāṅgala, appearing like a madman, dumb and retarded?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize a Sage by Hearing

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī's outward appearance made it difficult for the citizens to recognize his exalted position.

  2. 2

    A sage is recognized by hearing, not merely by sight. Approaching a sādhu brings no benefit if one is unwilling to hear his words.

  3. 3

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī was recognized when he spoke the Bhāgavatam about the Lord's transcendental activities. He did not perform magical displays or satisfy ordinary people's whims.

Key points from the purport
  • Gosvāmī Śukadeva, after leaving his paternal home, was roaming like a madman, and therefore it was very difficult for the citizens to recognize him in his exalted position.
  • A sage is not, therefore, recognized by sight, but by hearing.
  • Outwardly he appeared to be a retarded, dumb madman, but in fact he was the most elevated transcendental personality.

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. kathamhow
  2. ālakṣitaḥrecognized
  3. pauraiḥby the citizens
  4. samprāptaḥreaching
  5. kuru-jāṅgalānthe Kuru-jāṅgala provinces
  6. unmattamad
  7. mūkadumb
  8. jaḍavatstunted
  9. vicaranwandering
  10. gaja-sāhvayeHastināpura
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “citizens”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I judge a spiritual speaker by outward appearance or by the teaching I hear?

Practice

Spend five undistracted minutes reading or hearing the Bhāgavatam, giving attention to its message rather than the speaker's appearance.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize a Sage by HearingThis 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 1.4.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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