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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
1.5.291.5.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.30

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

ज्ञानं गुह्यतमं यत्तत्साक्षाद्भ‍गवतोदितम् । अन्ववोचन् गमिष्यन्त: कृपया दीनवत्सला: ॥ ३० ॥

jñānaṁ guhyatamaṁ yat tat

sākṣād bhagavatoditam

anvavocan gamiṣyantaḥ

kṛpayā dīna-vatsalāḥ

Translation

As they were leaving, those bhakti-vedāntas, who are very kind to poor-hearted souls, instructed me in that most confidential subject which is instructed by the Personality of Godhead Himself.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Devotion Is the Most Confidential Knowledge

  1. 1

    A pure bhakti-vedānta teaches exactly according to the Lord’s own instructions. Such teachers kindly guide the poor and meek to follow the Lord.

  2. 2

    The Lord is the creator, maintainer and annihilator of everything, yet He is not a created being. He remains in His eternal abode before creation and after annihilation.

  3. 3

    Knowledge of pure devotional service is the most confidential knowledge, far above knowledge of impersonal Brahman. The Lord’s confidential message can be understood by devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • The expression “most confidential” is significant here because knowledge of devotional service is far, far above knowledge of impersonal Brahman.
  • But when such knowledge is turned into pure devotional service and the confidential part of transcendental knowledge is attained, it is called the most confidential knowledge.
  • This most confidential knowledge was imparted by the Lord to Brahmā, Arjuna, Uddhava, etc.

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. jñānamknowledge
  2. guhyatamammost confidential
  3. yatwhat is
  4. tatthat
  5. sākṣātdirectly
  6. bhagavatā uditampropounded by the Lord Himself
  7. anvavocangave instruction
  8. gamiṣyantaḥwhile departing from
  9. kṛpayāby causeless mercy
  10. dīna-vatsalāḥthose who are very kind to the poor and meek
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: “bhakti-vedāntas”, “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I approach the Lord’s instructions with a more humble, devotional attitude?

Practice

Reread the translation slowly, with the intention of receiving instruction rather than merely gathering information.

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.

7

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.5's connections

Live this todayPure Devotion Is the Most Confidential KnowledgeThis 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 1.5.30? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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