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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
1.5.281.5.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.29

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

तस्यैवं मेऽनुरक्तस्य प्रश्रितस्य हतैनस: ।

श्रद्दधानस्य बालस्य दान्तस्यानुचरस्य च ॥ २९ ॥

tasyaivaṁ me ’nuraktasya

praśritasya hatainasaḥ

śraddadhānasya bālasya

dāntasyānucarasya ca

Translation

I was very much attached to those sages. I was gentle in behavior, and all my sins were eradicated in their service. In my heart I had strong faith in them. I had subjugated the senses, and I was strictly following them with body and mind.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Faithful Service Prepares Us for Pure Devotion

  1. 1

    A person seeking pure devotion must seek the association of pure devotees and avoid being misled by pseudodevotees. Simplicity and gentleness help one receive their instructions.

  2. 2

    A pure devotee is completely surrendered to the Personality of Godhead. Such a devotee knows Him as the supreme proprietor and everyone else as His servants.

  3. 3

    A beginner should faithfully serve a pure devotee and carefully follow the instructions received. Such association removes sins, while faithful service shows determination to attain success in this life.

Key points from the purport
  • He himself must be plain and gentle to receive the instructions of such a pure devotee.
  • A pure devotee is a completely surrendered soul unto the Personality of Godhead.
  • A neophyte devotee must faithfully serve the pure devotee, and he should be very much obedient and strictly follow the instructions.

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. tasyahis
  2. evamthus
  3. memine
  4. anuraktasyaattached to them
  5. praśritasyaobediently
  6. hatafreed from
  7. enasaḥsins
  8. śraddadhānasyaof the faithful
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotion”, “devotees”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sins”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can gentleness and faithful action strengthen the way you receive devotional instructions?

Practice

Choose one instruction from a pure devotee that you have received or read, and carefully put it into practice today.

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 todayFaithful Service Prepares Us for Pure DevotionThis 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.

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