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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 5: Nārada’s Instructions on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for Vyāsadeva
1.5.201.5.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.5.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

त्वमात्मनात्मानमवेह्यमोघद‍ृक्

परस्य पुंस: परमात्मन: कलाम् ।

अजं प्रजातं जगत: शिवाय त-

न्महानुभावाभ्युदयोऽधिगण्यताम् ॥ २१ ॥

tvam ātmanātmānam avehy amogha-dṛk

parasya puṁsaḥ paramātmanaḥ kalām

ajaṁ prajātaṁ jagataḥ śivāya tan

mahānubhāvābhyudayo ’dhigaṇyatām

Translation

Your Goodness has perfect vision. You yourself can know the Supersoul Personality of Godhead because you are present as the plenary portion of the Lord. Although you are birthless, you have appeared on this earth for the well-being of all people. Please, therefore, describe the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa more vividly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn to Serve Through Revealed Literature

  1. 1

    Śrīla Vyāsadeva is an empowered plenary incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He appeared by causeless mercy for the well-being of fallen souls.

  2. 2

    Living beings are parts and parcels of the Lord and His eternal servants. The Vedic literatures are arranged to help them become free from material bondage and return to loving service.

  3. 3

    By accepting Śrīla Nārada Ṛṣi as his spiritual master, Vyāsadeva teaches the need for a spiritual master through his own conduct. His descriptions of the Lord’s pastimes direct people to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrīla Vyāsadeva is the empowered plenary portion incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Lord Śrī Rāma and Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, all incarnations of Godhead, accepted formal spiritual masters, although by Their transcendental nature They were cognizant of all knowledge.
  • In order to direct people in general to the lotus feet of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, He Himself in the incarnation of Vyāsadeva is delineating the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.

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 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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tvamyourself
  2. ātmanāby your own self
  3. ātmānamthe Supersoul
  4. avehisearch out
  5. amogha-dṛkone who has perfect vision
  6. parasyaof the Transcendence
  7. puṁsaḥthe Personality of Godhead
  8. paramātmanaḥof the Supreme Lord
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

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching spiritual literature with a willingness to receive guidance and serve the Lord?

Practice

Read a short passage about Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes today, and write down one teaching that helps you remember your relationship as His servant.

5

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn to Serve Through Revealed LiteratureThis 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 1.5.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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