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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
1.6.371.7.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.38

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

अहो देवर्षिर्धन्योऽयं यत्कीर्तिं शार्ङ्गधन्वन: ।

गायन्माद्यन्निदं तन्‍त्र्या रमयत्यातुरं जगत् ॥ ३८ ॥

aho devarṣir dhanyo ’yaṁ

yat-kīrtiṁ śārṅgadhanvanaḥ

gāyan mādyann idaṁ tantryā

ramayaty āturaṁ jagat

Translation

All glory and success to Śrīla Nārada Muni because he glorifies the activities of the Personality of Godhead, and so doing he himself takes pleasure and also enlivens all the distressed souls of the universe.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Glorifying the Lord Enlivens Distressed Souls

  1. 1

    Nārada glorifies the Lord’s transcendental activities through his instrument. In doing so, he takes pleasure himself and enlivens distressed souls.

  2. 2

    What appears to be happiness in the material world is the illusion of māyā. Material enjoyment cannot make living beings truly happy.

  3. 3

    Nārada wanders everywhere to enlighten suffering souls and bring them back home, back to Godhead. Genuine devotees following his footsteps share this mission.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrī Nārada Muni plays on his instrument to glorify the transcendental activities of the Lord and to give relief to all miserable living entities of the universe.
  • Śrīla Nārada Muni, in order to enlighten the miserable inhabitants, wanders everywhere.
  • Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the First Canto, Sixth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Conversation Between Nārada and Vyāsa.”

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. ahoall glory to
  2. devarṣiḥthe sage of the gods
  3. dhanyaḥall success
  4. ayam yatone who
  5. kīrtimglories
  6. śārṅga-dhanvanaḥof the Personality of Godhead
  7. gāyansinging
  8. mādyantaking pleasure in
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “illusion”, “māyā”, “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “distressed”, “suffering”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “glorifies”

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 can my glorification of the Lord also become a service to others?

Practice

Share this verse’s translation with someone willing to hear it, as a small offering of devotional encouragement.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGlorifying the Lord Enlivens Distressed SoulsThis 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 1.6.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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