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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.6.36 1.6.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.37

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.6.37inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

एवं सम्भाष्य भगवान्नारदो वासवीसुतम् ।

आमन्‍त्र्य वीणां रणयन् ययौ याद‍ृच्छिको मुनि: ॥ ३७ ॥

sūta uvāca

evaṁ sambhāṣya bhagavān

nārado vāsavī-sutam

āmantrya vīṇāṁ raṇayan

yayau yādṛcchiko muniḥ

Translation

Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus addressing Vyāsadeva, Śrīla Nārada Muni took leave of him, and vibrating on his vīṇā instrument, he left to wander at his free will.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender Brings True Freedom

1
Every living being desires full freedom because freedom belongs to the soul’s transcendental nature. Under illusion, the conditioned soul thinks himself free while remaining bound by nature’s laws.
2
Nārada constantly chants the Lord’s glories and moves freely throughout the material and spiritual worlds. True freedom comes through transcendental service to the Lord.
3
Devotional service and the association of devotees cannot be secured merely by following formulas. Surrender to the Lord through the spiritual master brings complete freedom of life.

Key points from the purport

And this freedom is obtained only through the transcendental service of the Lord.
Similarly, the transcendental system of devotional service is also free.
Without freedom there is no execution of devotional service.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

sūtaḥSūta Gosvāmī
uvācasaid
evamthus
sambhāṣyaaddressing
bhagavāntranscendentally powerful
nāradaḥNārada Muni
vāsavīnamed Vāsavī (Satyavatī)
sutamson

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
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.6
In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.6
In this verse: “illusion”, “material”
Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting
Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.6
In this verse: “chants”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does this teaching challenge my usual idea of freedom?

Practice

Take a quiet minute to offer your willingness to serve the Lord, remembering that surrender is the path to true freedom.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender Brings True FreedomThis 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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