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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
1.6.161.6.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.17

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
A turning point forVyāsadeva· A lived example

प्रेमातिभरनिर्भिन्नपुलकाङ्गोऽतिनिर्वृत: ।

आनन्दसम्प्लवे लीनो नापश्यमुभयं मुने ॥ १७ ॥

premātibhara-nirbhinna-

pulakāṅgo ’tinirvṛtaḥ

ānanda-samplave līno

nāpaśyam ubhayaṁ mune

Translation

O Vyāsadeva, at that time, being exceedingly overpowered by feelings of happiness, every part of my body became separately enlivened. Being absorbed in an ocean of ecstasy, I could not see both myself and the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Awakened Senses Serve the Lord

  1. 1

    Spiritual happiness and intense ecstasy have no mundane comparison. Nārada Muni’s words offer only a glimpse of such feelings.

  2. 2

    After seeing the Lord, all the senses become fully awakened to serve Him. In the liberated state, the senses are fully efficient in that service.

  3. 3

    Every part of Nārada’s body became separately enlivened. Overwhelmed by transcendental ecstasy, he lost awareness of seeing himself and the Lord simultaneously.

Key points from the purport
  • Spiritual feelings of happiness and intense ecstasies have no mundane comparison.
  • As such, in that transcendental ecstasy it so happened that the senses became separately enlivened to serve the Lord.
  • This being so, Nārada Muni lost himself in seeing both himself and the Lord simultaneously.

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. premālove
  2. atibharaexcessive
  3. nirbhinnaespecially distinguished
  4. pulakafeelings of happiness
  5. aṅgaḥdifferent bodily parts
  6. ati-nirvṛtaḥbeing fully overwhelmed
  7. ānandaecstasy
  8. samplavein the ocean of
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

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “ecstasy”

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

How can I use my senses in service to the Lord today?

Practice

Use your voice to read this translation aloud and your ears to listen attentively.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAwakened Senses Serve the LordThis 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 1.6.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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