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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
1.6.261.6.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.27

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

एवं कृष्णमतेर्ब्रह्मन्नासक्तस्यामलात्मन: ।

काल: प्रादुरभूत्काले तडित्सौदामनी यथा ॥ २७ ॥

evaṁ kṛṣṇa-mater brahman

nāsaktasyāmalātmanaḥ

kālaḥ prādurabhūt kāle

taḍit saudāmanī yathā

Translation

And so, O Brāhmaṇa Vyāsadeva, in due course of time I, who was fully absorbed in thinking of Kṛṣṇa and who therefore had no attachments, being completely freed from all material taints, met with death, as lightning and illumination occur simultaneously.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Absorption in Kṛṣṇa Removes Material Longing

  1. 1

    Full absorption in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa clears away material desires. Spiritually enriched devotees no longer hanker for petty things without permanent value.

  2. 2

    The devotee’s destination is the kingdom of God, where life is eternal, fully cognizant and blissful. This higher prospect makes material attractions seem like shadows of reality.

  3. 3

    For a fully prepared pure devotee, leaving the material body and developing a spiritual body occur simultaneously by the Supreme’s will. Even before death, the devotee’s body is spiritualized like iron made red-hot in fire.

Key points from the purport
  • To be fully absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa means clearance of material dirts or hankerings.
  • And in due course of time, when a pure devotee is completely prepared, all of a sudden the change of body occurs which is commonly called death.
  • Even before death, a pure devotee has no material affection, due to his body’s being spiritualized like a red-hot iron in contact with fire.

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. evamthus
  2. kṛṣṇa-mateḥone who is fully absorbed in thinking of Kṛṣṇa
  3. brahmanO Vyāsadeva
  4. nanot
  5. āsaktasyaof one who is attached
  6. amala-ātmanaḥof one who is completely free from all material dirt
  7. kālaḥdeath
  8. prādurabhūtbecome visible
3

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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachments”, “material”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

Which temporary attraction becomes less important when I remember Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Pause one unnecessary material pursuit today and spend that time thinking of Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAbsorption in Kṛṣṇa Removes Material LongingThis 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.

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