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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
1.6.201.6.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.21

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.6.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

हन्तास्मिञ्जन्मनि भवान्मा मां द्रष्टुमिहार्हति ।

अविपक्‍वकषायाणां दुर्दर्शोऽहं कुयोगिनाम् ॥ २१ ॥

hantāsmiñ janmani bhavān

mā māṁ draṣṭum ihārhati

avipakva-kaṣāyāṇāṁ

durdarśo ’haṁ kuyoginām

Translation

O Nārada [the Lord spoke], I regret that during this lifetime you will not be able to see Me anymore. Those who are incomplete in service and who are not completely free from all material taints can hardly see Me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Service Brings Us Near the Lord

  1. 1

    The Personality of Godhead is completely pure. To meet Him personally, one must be free from material attachment, even beyond the mode of goodness.

  2. 2

    For a beginner, worshiping the Deity of the Lord is recommended over searching for Him in a forest. The Lord’s temple is transcendental, whereas the forest is a materially good place.

  3. 3

    A pure devotee follows great devotees like Nārada and Prahlāda by glorifying the Lord through kīrtana. Engaging others in devotional service is beyond all material qualities.

Key points from the purport
  • And to be completely freed from all material tinges is to become free from the mode of goodness also.
  • One must be completely freed from all material attachment and be situated on the plane of transcendence, which alone will help the devotee get in personal touch with the Personality of Godhead.
  • In his present life, which is completely freed from all material hankerings, Śrī Nārada Muni does not go into the forest, although he can turn every place into Vaikuṇṭha by his presence only.

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. hantaO Nārada
  2. asminthis
  3. janmaniduration of life
  4. bhavānyourself
  5. mānot
  6. māmMe
  7. draṣṭumto see
  8. ihahere
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worshiping”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “glorifying”, “kīrtana”

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 give more attention to serving the Lord rather than seeking a favorable outward setting?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to glorify the Lord through kīrtana.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.6's connections

Live this todayPure Service Brings Us Near 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 1.6.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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