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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.6.11 1.6.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.12

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

चित्रधातुविचित्राद्रीनिभभग्नभुजद्रुमान् ।

जलाशयाञ्छिवजलान्नलिनी: सुरसेविता: ।

चित्रस्वनै: पत्ररथैर्विभ्रमद्भ्रमरश्रिय: ॥ १२ ॥

citra-dhātu-vicitrādrīn

ibha-bhagna-bhuja-drumān

jalāśayāñ chiva-jalān

nalinīḥ sura-sevitāḥ

citra-svanaiḥ patra-rathair

vibhramad bhramara-śriyaḥ

Translation

I passed through hills and mountains full of reservoirs of various minerals like gold, silver and copper, and through tracts of land with reservoirs of water filled with beautiful lotus flowers, fit for the denizens of heaven, decorated with bewildered bees and singing birds.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Passing Through Natural Beauty

1
The journey passed through hills and mountains containing valuable minerals such as gold, silver and copper.
2
There were reservoirs of water filled with beautiful lotus flowers, fit for the denizens of heaven.
3
Bees and singing birds decorated these beautiful places, which he passed through along his journey.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

citra-dhātuvaluable minerals like gold, silver and copper
vicitrafull of variegatedness
adrīnhills and mountains
ibha-bhagnabroken by the giant elephants
bhujabranches
drumāntrees
jalāśayān śivahealth-giving
jalānreservoirs of water

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

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which details of this landscape help me read the account with attention?

Practice

Read the translation slowly once, noticing the mountains, lotus flowers, bees and birds.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPassing Through Natural BeautyThis 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 1.6.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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