1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter

Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.5.21 1.5.23

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.22

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

इदं हि पुंसस्तपस: श्रुतस्य वा

स्विष्टस्य सूक्तस्य च बुद्धिदत्तयो: ।

अविच्युतोऽर्थ: कविभिर्निरूपितो

यदुत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवर्णनम् ॥ २२ ॥

idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā

sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ

avicyuto ’rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito

yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam

Translation

Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Knowledge to Glorify the Lord

1
The perfection of learning culminates in realizing the Supreme Being, Viṣṇu. Those truly advanced in learning should aspire to serve Him rather than use knowledge for temporary sense enjoyment.
2
Art, literature, science, philosophy and all other branches of knowledge should be applied in the Lord’s service. Their real use is to establish His glories.
3
The Personality of Godhead and His transcendental name, fame and glory are nondifferent. Knowledge engaged in His service is therefore hari-kīrtana, or glorification of the Lord.

Key points from the purport

Similarly, science and philosophy also should be applied in the service of the Lord.
Philosophy and science should be engaged to establish the glory of the Lord.
Similarly, all other branches of knowledge should always be engaged in the service 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.

Connected verses· 2

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.16.32

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.22): If one has scientific, philosophical, political, economic or any other abilities and wants perfection in his knowledge, he should offer prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead by composing first-class poetry or engaging his talents in the service of the Lord.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.12.34

“Learned sages have definitely concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, austerity, Vedic study, sacrifice, the chanting of hymns, and charity is found in the transcendental descriptions of the qualities of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry.”

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

idamthis
hicertainly
puṁsaḥof everyone
tapasaḥby dint of austerities
śrutasyaby dint of study of the Vedas
vāor
sviṣṭasyasacrifice
sūktasyaspiritual education

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: “chanting”, “glorification”
Jñāna · Spiritual insight
Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.5
In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophy”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could something you know or enjoy learning become a means of glorifying the Lord?

Practice

Write two sentences glorifying the Lord, using a skill or subject you enjoy.

The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

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

SB 1.5.223 Aug 1974 · VrndavanaListen

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 todayUse Knowledge to Glorify the LordOne 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 1.5.22? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories