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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
1.5.351.5.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.36

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

कुर्वाणा यत्र कर्माणि भगवच्छिक्षयासकृत् ।

गृणन्ति गुणनामानि कृष्णस्यानुस्मरन्ति च ॥ ३६ ॥

kurvāṇā yatra karmāṇi

bhagavac-chikṣayāsakṛt

gṛṇanti guṇa-nāmāni

kṛṣṇasyānusmaranti ca

Translation

While performing duties according to the order of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one constantly remembers Him, His names and His qualities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Kṛṣṇa While Performing Your Duties

  1. 1

    A devotee can shape daily duties so as to remember Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, constantly. Household work, business and professional activities should be performed for Him as the supreme proprietor and enjoyer.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa is identical with His transcendental name, fame and qualities. Remembering and repeating them therefore means actually associating with Him.

  3. 3

    One can remain in one’s present position while using work and resources to spread devotion. Success requires submissively receiving the Lord’s instructions through a bona fide pure devotee, rather than speculating about becoming one with Him.

Key points from the purport
  • A pure devotee remembers this constantly, and in doing so he repeats the transcendental name, fame and qualities of the Lord, which means that he is constantly in touch with the Lord.
  • The major portion of our monetary income, not less than fifty percent, must be spent to carry out the order of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
  • The only condition is that one must give up the habit of dry speculation aimed at becoming one with 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.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kurvāṇāḥwhile performing
  2. yatrathereupon
  3. karmāṇiduties
  4. bhagavatthe Personality of Godhead
  5. śikṣayāby the will of
  6. asakṛtconstantly
  7. gṛṇantitakes on
  8. guṇaqualities
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”, “devotee”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What would help me remember Kṛṣṇa as the proprietor and enjoyer during my ordinary duties?

Practice

During one routine task today, gently repeat Kṛṣṇa’s name and remember that the task’s result is meant for 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 todayRemember Kṛṣṇa While Performing Your DutiesOne 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 1.5.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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