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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
1.5.311.5.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.32

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.5.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

एतत्संसूचितं ब्रह्मंस्तापत्रयचिकित्सितम् ।

यदीश्वरे भगवति कर्म ब्रह्मणि भावितम् ॥ ३२ ॥

etat saṁsūcitaṁ brahmaṁs

tāpa-traya-cikitsitam

yad īśvare bhagavati

karma brahmaṇi bhāvitam

Translation

O Brāhmaṇa Vyāsadeva, it is decided by the learned that the best remedial measure for removing all troubles and miseries is to dedicate one’s activities to the service of the Supreme Lord Personality of Godhead [Śrī Kṛṣṇa].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Dedicate Every Activity to the Lord

  1. 1

    Submissively hearing the Lord’s transcendental activities from bona fide sources is the practical remedy for life’s miseries. Nārada personally experienced this path of relief.

  2. 2

    No plan can bring the desired peace without the Lord’s sanction. We should dedicate our efforts to His mercy rather than depend on our own arrangements alone.

  3. 3

    Learning, work and wealth should all serve Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we cannot engage completely in hearing His pastimes, we should use our particular abilities and attractions in His service.

Key points from the purport
  • We should, therefore, learn to dedicate our activities unto the mercy of the Lord and accept Him either as impersonal Brahman, localized Paramātmā or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • One must dedicate everything in the service of the Lord.
  • Fight for the cause of the Lord as Śrī Arjuna did.

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. etatthis much
  2. saṁsūcitamdecided by the learned
  3. brahmanO brāhmaṇa Vyāsa
  4. tāpa-trayathree kinds of miseries
  5. cikitsitamremedial measures
  6. yatwhat
  7. īśvarethe supreme controller
  8. bhagavatiunto the Personality of Godhead
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “hearing”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which ability or resource could I use more consciously in the Lord’s service?

Practice

Choose one task today and, before beginning, ask for the Lord’s mercy to use your effort in His service.

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 todayDedicate Every Activity to the LordThis 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 1.5.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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