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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
1.5.61.5.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vyāsadevasince 1.5.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

त्वं पर्यटन्नर्क इव त्रिलोकी-

मन्तश्चरो वायुरिवात्मसाक्षी ।

परावरे ब्रह्मणि धर्मतो व्रतै:

स्‍नातस्य मे न्यूनमलं विचक्ष्व ॥ ७ ॥

tvaṁ paryaṭann arka iva tri-lokīm

antaś-caro vāyur ivātma-sākṣī

parāvare brahmaṇi dharmato vrataiḥ

snātasya me nyūnam alaṁ vicakṣva

Translation

Like the sun, Your Goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone. As such, you are as good as the all-pervasive Supersoul. Please, therefore, find out the deficiency in me, despite my being absorbed in transcendence under disciplinary regulations and vows.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Welcome Guidance Alongside Disciplined Practice

  1. 1

    Vyāsadeva praised Nārada’s ability to travel throughout the three worlds and penetrate everyone’s inner region.

  2. 2

    Although absorbed in transcendence through regulations and vows, Vyāsadeva asked Nārada to identify his deficiency.

  3. 3

    Transcendental realization, pious activities, Deity worship and scriptural study are helpful. Charity, mercifulness and nonviolence are also helpful.

Key points from the purport
  • Transcendental realization, pious activities, worshiping the Deities, charity, mercifulness, nonviolence and studying the scriptures under strict disciplinary regulations are always helpful.

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. tvamYour Goodness
  2. paryaṭantraveling
  3. arkaḥthe sun
  4. ivalike
  5. tri-lokīmthe three worlds
  6. antaḥ-caraḥcan penetrate into everyone’s heart
  7. vāyuḥ ivaas good as the all-pervading air
  8. ātmaself-realized
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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: “worship”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.5

    In this verse: “mercifulness”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I open to correction even when I am practicing regularly?

Practice

Read a short passage of scripture attentively today, with a willingness to recognize something you need to improve.

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 todayWelcome Guidance Alongside Disciplined PracticeThis 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 1.5.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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