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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
1.6.241.6.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.25

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

एतावदुक्त्वोपरराम तन्महद्

भूतं नभोलिङ्गमलिङ्गमीश्वरम् ।

अहं च तस्मै महतां महीयसे

शीर्ष्णावनामं विदधेऽनुकम्पित: ॥ २५ ॥

etāvad uktvopararāma tan mahad

bhūtaṁ nabho-liṅgam aliṅgam īśvaram

ahaṁ ca tasmai mahatāṁ mahīyase

śīrṣṇāvanāmaṁ vidadhe ’nukampitaḥ

Translation

Then that supreme authority, personified by sound and unseen by eyes, but most wonderful, stopped speaking. Feeling a sense of gratitude, I offered my obeisances unto Him, bowing my head.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Meet the Lord Through Transcendental Sound

  1. 1

    Although Nārada could not see the Lord, he heard Him speak. In gratitude, he bowed his head and offered obeisances.

  2. 2

    The Lord is seen and realized through the transcendental sound of the Vedas. The Bhagavad-gītā is also His sound representation, with no difference in identity.

  3. 3

    Hearing the Lord is not less meaningful than seeing Him. Through persistent chanting of transcendental sound, the Lord can be seen and heard.

Key points from the purport
  • That the Personality of Godhead was not seen but only heard does not make any difference.
  • The Personality of Godhead produced the four Vedas by His breathing, and He is seen and realized through the transcendental sound of the Vedas.
  • The conclusion is that the Lord can be seen and heard by persistent chanting of the transcendental sound.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etāvatthus
  2. uktvāspoken
  3. upararāmastopped
  4. tatthat
  5. mahatgreat
  6. bhūtamwonderful
  7. nabhaḥ-liṅgampersonified by sound
  8. aliṅgamunseen by the eyes
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”, “heard”

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

Do I approach transcendental sound with attention and gratitude?

Practice

Read a short passage of the Bhagavad-gītā aloud, then bow your head in gratitude to the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayMeet the Lord Through Transcendental SoundThis 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 1.6.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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