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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
1.5.231.5.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.24

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.5.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

ते मय्यपेताखिलचापलेऽर्भके

दान्तेऽधृतक्रीडनकेऽनुवर्तिनि ।

चक्रु: कृपां यद्यपि तुल्यदर्शना:

शुश्रूषमाणे मुनयोऽल्पभाषिणि ॥ २४ ॥

te mayy apetākhila-cāpale ’rbhake

dānte ’dhṛta-krīḍanake ’nuvartini

cakruḥ kṛpāṁ yadyapi tulya-darśanāḥ

śuśrūṣamāṇe munayo ’lpa-bhāṣiṇi

Translation

Although they were impartial by nature, those followers of the Vedānta blessed me with their causeless mercy. As far as I was concerned, I was self-controlled and had no attachment for sports, even though I was a boy. In addition, I was not naughty, and I did not speak more than required.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Discipline Helps Us Receive Devotional Guidance

  1. 1

    The Vedas establish our relationship with the Personality of Godhead, our duties in devotional service and the goal of returning to Godhead.

  2. 2

    Pure devotees distribute knowledge of devotional service impartially, without distinguishing between educated and uneducated people. They work to awaken everyone’s lost relationship with the Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Self-control, discipline and obedience are essential for following the spiritual master’s instructions. The boy’s restrained speech and behavior show the importance of such training.

Key points from the purport
  • By such endeavor, even the most forgotten soul is roused up to the sense of spiritual life, and thus being initiated by the bhakti-vedāntas, the people in general gradually progress on the path of transcendental realization.
  • A boy was even injected with spiritual acumen before being placed by the father in the womb of the mother.
  • Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tethey
  2. mayiunto me
  3. apetanot having undergone
  4. akhilaall kinds of
  5. cāpaleproclivities
  6. arbhakeunto a boy
  7. dāntehaving controlled the senses
  8. adhṛta-krīḍanakewithout being accustomed to sporting habits
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”, “blessed”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which habit of speech or behavior could you discipline to receive spiritual guidance more attentively?

Practice

In one conversation today, listen carefully and speak only as much as needed.

5

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.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayDiscipline Helps Us Receive Devotional GuidanceThis 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 1.5.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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