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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 6: Conversation Between Nārada and Vyāsadeva
1.6.101.6.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.6.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

स्फीताञ्जनपदांस्तत्र पुरग्रामव्रजाकरान् ।

खेटखर्वटवाटीश्च वनान्युपवनानि च ॥ ११ ॥

sphītāñ janapadāṁs tatra

pura-grāma-vrajākarān

kheṭa-kharvaṭa-vāṭīś ca

vanāny upavanāni ca

Translation

After my departure, I passed through many flourishing metropolises, towns, villages, animal farms, mines, agricultural lands, valleys, flower gardens, nursery gardens and natural forests.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Keep Moving Toward Spiritual Freedom

  1. 1

    Agriculture, mining, farming and gardening continue through repeated creations. The history of the universe repeats itself practically in the same way.

  2. 2

    Although only a child, Śrī Nārada Muni did not become absorbed in economic development. He continually moved toward spiritual emancipation.

  3. 3

    Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam records the most important factors of history. Its focus directs attention toward the vital necessities of life.

Key points from the purport
  • Man’s activities in agriculture, mining, farming, industries, gardening, etc., were all on the same scale as they are now, even previous to the present creation, and the same activities will remain as they are, even in the next creation.
  • After many hundreds of millions of years, one creation is started by the law of nature, and the history of the universe repeats itself practically in the same way.
  • After getting an impetus in spiritual life, Śrī Nārada Muni, even though a mere child, did not waste time for a single moment with economic development, although he passed towns and villages, mines and industries.

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 6: Conversation Between Nārada and Vyāsadeva

Nārada recounts seeing Kṛṣṇa within his heart and becoming fixed in unbroken devotional service.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sphītānvery flourishing
  2. jana-padānmetropolises
  3. tatrathere
  4. puratowns
  5. grāmavillages
  6. vrajabig farms
  7. ākarānmineral fields (mines)
  8. kheṭaagricultural lands
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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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “child”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What occupies time that I could give to spiritual progress?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today for reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam without distractions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKeep Moving Toward Spiritual FreedomThis 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 1.6.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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