1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
1.5.71.5.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.5.8

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
A turning point forVyāsadeva· Nārada diagnoses the absence

श्रीनारद उवाच

भवतानुदितप्रायं यशो भगवतोऽमलम् ।

येनैवासौ न तुष्येत मन्ये तद्दर्शनं खिलम् ॥ ८ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

bhavatānudita-prāyaṁ

yaśo bhagavato ’malam

yenaivāsau na tuṣyeta

manye tad darśanaṁ khilam

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: You have not actually broadcast the sublime and spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. That philosophy which does not satisfy the transcendental senses of the Lord is considered worthless.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Glorification and Loving Service Bring Satisfaction

  1. 1

    Nārada identified the missing emphasis: directly broadcasting the spotless glories of the Personality of Godhead. Philosophy that does not satisfy the Lord’s transcendental senses is considered worthless.

  2. 2

    The soul is eternally the servant of the Supreme Lord. Loving service alone satisfies both the Lord and the living being.

  3. 3

    Personal realization of the Lord’s glories yields greater transcendental bliss than realization of impersonal Brahman or localized Paramātmā. Thus Vyāsadeva needed to explain Vedānta-sūtra through Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Key points from the purport
  • The eternal relation of an individual soul with the Supreme Soul Personality of Godhead is constitutionally one of being the eternal servitor of the eternal master.
  • The Personality of Godhead is the last word in transcendental realization.
  • So what sort of transcendental bliss can be derived by the readers and listeners of Vedānta which is not explained directly by Vyāsadeva, the author?

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

Quoted in the purport ofSB 2.6.46

As it was said in the beginning of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.5.8), one cannot be fully satisfied by hearing unless and until one is given a chance to hear of the transcendental activities of the Lord.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. śrī-nāradaḥŚrī Nārada
  2. uvācasaid
  3. bhavatāby you
  4. anudita-prāyamalmost not praised
  5. yaśaḥglories
  6. bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
  7. amalamspotless
  8. yenaby which
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does my spiritual study lead me toward glorifying and lovingly serving the Lord?

Practice

Spend a minute describing the Lord’s glories aloud, with the intention of pleasing Him.

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.

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayGlorification and Loving Service Bring SatisfactionThis 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 1.5.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories