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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
1.5.381.5.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.39

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.5.8inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

इमं स्वनिगमं ब्रह्मन्नवेत्य मदनुष्ठितम् ।

अदान्मे ज्ञानमैश्वर्यं स्वस्मिन् भावं च केशव: ॥ ३९ ॥

imaṁ sva-nigamaṁ brahmann

avetya mad-anuṣṭhitam

adān me jñānam aiśvaryaṁ

svasmin bhāvaṁ ca keśavaḥ

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, thus by the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa I was endowed first with the transcendental knowledge of the Lord as inculcated in the confidential parts of the Vedas, then with the spiritual opulences, and then with His intimate loving service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Is the Highest Gift

  1. 1

    Transcendental sound is nondifferent from Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and is a perfect method for approaching Him. Pure contact through this sound enables the devotee to understand the inner meaning of Vedic literature.

  2. 2

    The Lord gradually reveals His identity to one with unflinching faith in both Him and the spiritual master. Beyond knowledge and spiritual opulences, He grants intimate loving service through the spiritual master.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee is more interested in serving the Lord than displaying mystic powers. Chanting is open to everyone, provided the transcendental sound is received through the paramparā system.

Key points from the purport
  • Communion with the Lord by transmission of the transcendental sound is nondifferent from the whole spirit Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • By such pure contact with the Lord, without offense of material conceptions (numbering ten), the devotee can rise above the material plane to understand the inner meaning of the Vedic literatures, including the Lord’s existence in the transcendental realm.
  • And above all, the devotee is accepted in the confidential entourage of the Lord and is entrusted with specific service of the Lord through the agency of the spiritual master.

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. imamthus
  2. sva-nigamamconfidential knowledge of the Vedas in respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. brahmanO brāhmaṇa (Vyāsadeva)
  4. avetyaknowing it well
  5. matby me
  6. anuṣṭhitamexecuted
  7. adātbestowed upon me
  8. meme
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I more interested in serving the Lord than in gaining extraordinary abilities or recognition?

Practice

Before chanting today, pause and make loving service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa your purpose, rather than seeking special powers.

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The story around it

The stories this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLoving Service Is the Highest GiftThis 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 1.5.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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