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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
1.6.321.6.34

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.33

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
A turning point forNārada Muni· A life dedicated to the Lord

प्रगायत: स्ववीर्याणि तीर्थपाद: प्रियश्रवा: ।

आहूत इव मे शीघ्रं दर्शनं याति चेतसि ॥ ३३ ॥

pragāyataḥ sva-vīryāṇi

tīrtha-pādaḥ priya-śravāḥ

āhūta iva me śīghraṁ

darśanaṁ yāti cetasi

Translation

The Supreme Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, whose glories and activities are pleasing to hear, at once appears on the seat of my heart, as if called for, as soon as I begin to chant His holy activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Pure Chanting Reveals the Lord’s Presence

  1. 1

    Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is not different from His transcendental name, form, pastimes and their sound vibrations.

  2. 2

    Through pure devotional hearing, chanting and remembering, the Lord reveals Himself in the pure devotee’s heart. A devotee engaged in loving service can experience His presence at every moment.

  3. 3

    Nārada chants the Lord’s glories not for personal benefit, but because those glories are identical with the Lord. Through transcendental chanting, he enters the Lord’s presence.

Key points from the purport
  • As soon as a pure devotee engages himself in the pure devotional service of hearing, chanting and remembering the name, fame and activities of the Lord, at once He becomes visible to the transcendental eyes of the pure devotee by reflecting Himself on the mirror of the heart by spiritual television.
  • Therefore a pure devotee who is related with the Lord in loving transcendental service can experience the presence of the Lord at every moment.
  • If, therefore, the Lord is attracted by the pure devotee’s chanting of His glories, there is nothing astonishing.

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. pragāyataḥthus singing
  2. sva-vīryāṇiown activities
  3. tīrtha-pādaḥthe Lord, whose lotus feet are the source of all virtues or holiness
  4. priya-śravāḥpleasing to hear
  5. āhūtaḥcalled for
  6. ivajust like
  7. meto me
  8. śīghramvery soon
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: “chant”, “chanting”, “hearing”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional”, “devotee’s”

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

Am I approaching glorification of the Lord as loving service or mainly for personal benefit?

Practice

Read this verse’s translation aloud slowly, with the intention of glorifying Śrī Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking a reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPure Chanting Reveals the Lord’s PresenceThis 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 1.6.33? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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