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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.11

Who is speaking and story frame

तद्वाग्विसर्गो जनताघविप्लवो

यस्मिन् प्रतिश्लोकमबद्धवत्यपि ।

नामान्यनन्तस्य यशोऽङ्कितानि यत्

श‍ृण्वन्ति गायन्ति गृणन्ति साधव: ॥ ११ ॥

tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavo

yasmin prati-ślokam abaddhavaty api

nāmāny anantasya yaśo ’ṅkitāni yat

śṛṇvanti gāyanti gṛṇanti sādhavaḥ

Translation

On the other hand, that literature which is full of descriptions of the transcendental glories of the name, fame, forms, pastimes, etc., of the unlimited Supreme Lord is a different creation, full of transcendental words directed toward bringing about a revolution in the impious lives of this world’s misdirected civilization. Such transcendental literatures, even though imperfectly composed, are heard, sung and accepted by purified men who are thoroughly honest.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Glorifying the Lord Can Transform Lives

  1. 1

    Literature describing the Supreme Lord’s name, fame, forms and pastimes can change the polluted atmosphere of the world. Honest, purified people accept it even when its language is imperfect.

  2. 2

    The spiritual message matters more than literary polish. An honest attempt to glorify the Lord deserves serious attention and cooperation.

  3. 3

    Reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā can revive God consciousness. As a taste for this literature develops, attraction to writings meant for sense gratification diminishes.

Key points from the purport
  • He is always absorbed in glorifying the Supreme Lord because by broadcasting the holy name and fame of the Supreme Lord, the polluted atmosphere of the world will change, and as a result of propagating the transcendental literatures like Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, people will become sane in their transactions.
  • We are confident that if the transcendental message of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is received only by the leading men of the world, certainly there will be a change of heart, and naturally the people in general will follow them.
  • We know that our honest attempt to present this great literature conveying transcendental messages for reviving the God consciousness of the people in general and respiritualizing the world atmosphere is fraught with many difficulties.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 3

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.5.23-24

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.11) there is this verse: “Verses describing the name, form and qualities of Anantadeva, the unlimited Supreme Lord, are able to vanquish all the sinful reactions of the entire world.

Quoted in the purport ofCC Ādi 16.102

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.11) it is said:

Quoted in the purport ofCC Madhya 9.96

In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.11) this is confirmed:

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 5: Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva

Nārada urges Vyāsadeva to describe the Lord’s glories and recalls his own service to sages.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatthat
  2. vākvocabulary
  3. visargaḥcreation
  4. janatāthe people in general
  5. aghasins
  6. viplavaḥrevolutionary
  7. yasminin which
  8. prati-ślokameach and every stanza
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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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “heard”, “glorify”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “purified”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “sense gratification”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I read spiritual literature, do I look for its message rather than its literary faults?

Practice

Spend five minutes reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam aloud, giving attention to its glorification of the Lord.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

3 lectures given on it · quoted in 10 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Show 1 more lecture on it
Quoted in 10 other lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayGlorifying the Lord Can Transform LivesOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 1.5.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.