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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
1.5.371.5.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.38

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

इति मूर्त्यभिधानेन मन्त्रमूर्तिममूर्तिकम् ।

यजते यज्ञपुरुषं स सम्यग्दर्शन: पुमान् ॥ ३८ ॥

iti mūrty-abhidhānena

mantra-mūrtim amūrtikam

yajate yajña-puruṣaṁ

sa samyag-darśanaḥ pumān

Translation

Thus he is the actual seer who worships, in the form of transcendental sound representation, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, who has no material form.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship the Lord Through Transcendental Sound

  1. 1

    Our material senses are imperfect in realizing Lord Viṣṇu’s transcendental form. Having no material form does not mean He is impersonal: His form is eternal and full of bliss and knowledge.

  2. 2

    Chanting holy mantras can revive our original spiritual senses. These sounds should be received from a bona fide spiritual master and chanted under his direction.

  3. 3

    The authorized pāñcarātrika system gives practical codes for transcendental devotional service suitable for this age of quarrel. These guide us toward the Lord, whom dry philosophical speculation cannot reach.

Key points from the purport
  • Our present senses are all made of material elements, and therefore they are imperfect in realizing the transcendental form of Lord Viṣṇu.
  • He is therefore worshiped by sound representation via the transcendental method of chanting.
  • The transcendental form of eternal bliss and knowledge can be experienced by our original spiritual senses, which can be revived by chanting of the holy mantras, or transcendental sound representations.

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. itithus
  2. mūrtirepresentation
  3. abhidhānenain sound
  4. mantra-mūrtimform representation of transcendental sound
  5. amūrtikamthe Lord, who has no material form
  6. yajateworship
  7. yajñaViṣṇu
  8. puruṣamthe Personality of Godhead
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “philosophical”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I approach chanting as personal worship of the Lord rather than merely as sound?

Practice

Set aside a quiet minute to chant a holy mantra received through a bona fide spiritual master, following his instructions.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWorship the Lord Through Transcendental SoundThis 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 1.5.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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