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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

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

1.6.17 1.6.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.18

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

रूपं भगवतो यत्तन्मन:कान्तं शुचापहम् ।

अपश्यन् सहसोत्तस्थे वैक्लव्याद्दुर्मना इव ॥ १८ ॥

rūpaṁ bhagavato yat tan

manaḥ-kāntaṁ śucāpaham

apaśyan sahasottasthe

vaiklavyād durmanā iva

Translation

The transcendental form of the Lord, as it is, satisfies the mind’s desire and at once erases all mental incongruities. Upon losing that form, I suddenly got up, being perturbed, as is usual when one loses that which is desirable.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Form Truly Satisfies

1
The Lord is not formless, but His form is completely different from material forms. Calling Him formless means that He has no material form.
2
The Lord’s transcendental form satisfies the mind and removes its disturbances. No material form can offer that same satisfaction.
3
As spiritual beings, we have eternal relations with the Lord’s transcendental form and search for Him life after life. Losing sight of that form deeply disturbed Nārada Muni.

Key points from the purport

That the Lord is not formless is experienced by Nārada Muni.
These are the special features of the transcendental form of the Lord, and one who has once seen that form is not satisfied with anything else; no form in the material world can any longer satisfy the seer.
As spiritual beings, having eternal relations with that transcendental form of the Lord, we are, life after life, searching after that form of the Lord, and we are not satisfied by any other form of material appeasement.

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

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.

rūpamform
bhagavataḥof the Personality of Godhead
yatas it is
tatthat
manaḥof the mind
kāntamas it desires
śucā-apahamvanishing all disparity
apaśyanwithout seeing

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
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.6
In this verse: “material”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I seeking lasting satisfaction in things that cannot fully satisfy the mind?

Practice

Write down one material source of satisfaction you rely on, then reflect briefly on the satisfaction described in this verse.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Form Truly SatisfiesThis 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 1.6.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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