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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
1.6.281.6.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.29

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

कल्पान्त इदमादाय शयानेऽम्भस्युदन्वत: ।

शिशयिषोरनुप्राणं विविशेऽन्तरहं विभो: ॥ २९ ॥

kalpānta idam ādāya

śayāne ’mbhasy udanvataḥ

śiśayiṣor anuprāṇaṁ

viviśe ’ntar ahaṁ vibhoḥ

Translation

At the end of the millennium, when the Personality of Godhead, Lord Nārāyaṇa, lay down within the water of devastation, Brahmā began to enter into Him along with all creative elements, and I also entered through His breathing.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Devotees Appear Transcendentally

  1. 1

    At the end of the millennium, Lord Nārāyaṇa lay within the waters of devastation. Brahmā entered Him with the creative elements, and Nārada entered through His breathing.

  2. 2

    Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, has transcendental birth and activities. Nārada’s appearance as Brahmā’s son is likewise a transcendental pastime, not an ordinary material birth.

  3. 3

    The Lord and His liberated devotees belong to the same category of transcendence. As spiritual entities, they are simultaneously one and different.

Key points from the purport
  • Nārada is known as the son of Brahmā, as Lord Kṛṣṇa is known as the son of Vasudeva.
  • Therefore, according to authorized opinion, the birth of Nārada as the son of Brahmā is also a transcendental pastime.
  • The Lord and His devotees are therefore simultaneously one and different as spiritual entities.

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. kalpa-anteat the end of Brahmā’s day
  2. idamthis
  3. ādāyataking together
  4. śayānehaving gone to lie down
  5. ambhasiin the causal water
  6. udanvataḥdevastation
  7. śiśayiṣoḥlying of the Personality of Godhead (Nārāyaṇa)
  8. anuprāṇambreathing
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • 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.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this teaching change my understanding of Nārada’s appearance and disappearance?

Practice

Reread the purport and note how it distinguishes Nārada’s appearance from ordinary material birth.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Devotees Appear TranscendentallyThis 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 1.6.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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