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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 5: Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva
1.5.171.5.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.18

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.5.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

तस्यैव हेतो: प्रयतेत कोविदो

न लभ्यते यद्भ्रमतामुपर्यध: ।

तल्लभ्यते दु:खवदन्यत: सुखं

कालेन सर्वत्र गभीररंहसा ॥ १८ ॥

tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido

na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ

tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukhaṁ

kālena sarvatra gabhīra-raṁhasā

Translation

Persons who are actually intelligent and philosophically inclined should endeavor only for that purposeful end which is not obtainable even by wandering from the topmost planet [Brahmaloka] down to the lowest planet [Pātāla]. As far as happiness derived from sense enjoyment is concerned, it can be obtained automatically in course of time, just as in course of time we obtain miseries even though we do not desire them.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Endeavor to Go Back to Godhead

  1. 1

    Material positions, from Brahmaloka to Pātāla, are impermanent and change according to our work. A thoughtful person should not be tempted by these changeable positions.

  2. 2

    Material life everywhere contains miseries and mixed happiness. No material position frees one from birth, death, old age and disease.

  3. 3

    Rather than wasting time pursuing temporary enjoyment, one should seek the permanent life of bliss and knowledge. Going back to Godhead should be the mission of everyone’s life.

Key points from the purport
  • We see also that even in this life one obtains a good education or money by good work.
  • The positions in the topmost Brahmaloka and in the lowest Pātāla are also changeable according to our own work.
  • Miseries and mixed happiness are two features of material life, and they are obtained in Brahmaloka and in other lokas also.

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· 5

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.29.32

As far as happiness derived from sense enjoyment is concerned, it can be obtained automatically in course of time, just as in course of time we obtain miseries even though we do not desire them.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 5.8.10

It is therefore said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.18), tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham: “As far as material happiness is concerned, that comes without effort, just as tribulations come without effort.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 7.15.15

As advised by Nārada Muni, tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovidaḥ: one should simply endeavor to increase his Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 8.7.44

na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ. One should endeavor for that which is never obtained by wandering up and down the universe as a result of the reactions of karma.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 9.9.33

Tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukham. As one is put into distress by destiny, destiny can also put one in a happy situation.

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. tasyafor that purpose
  2. evaonly
  3. hetoḥreason
  4. prayatetashould endeavor
  5. kovidaḥone who is philosophically inclined
  6. na labhyateis not obtained
  7. yatwhat
  8. bhramatāmwandering
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “philosophically”, “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “death”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which of my daily efforts serves a lasting spiritual purpose rather than temporary enjoyment?

Practice

Set aside five minutes usually spent seeking entertainment to reflect on making return to Godhead your life’s mission.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

2 lectures given on it · quoted in 73 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 73 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 todayEndeavor to Go Back to GodheadOne 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 1.5.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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