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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
1.6.41.6.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.5

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· Childhood among sages

नारद उवाच

भिक्षुभिर्विप्रवसिते विज्ञानादेष्टृभिर्मम ।

वर्तमानो वयस्याद्ये तत एतदकारषम् ॥ ५ ॥

nārada uvāca

bhikṣubhir vipravasite

vijñānādeṣṭṛbhir mama

vartamāno vayasy ādye

tata etad akāraṣam

Translation

Śrī Nārada said: The great sages, who had imparted scientific knowledge of transcendence to me, departed for other places, and I had to pass my life in this way.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotee Association Brings Tangible Change

  1. 1

    The great sages imparted spiritual knowledge to Nārada before departing for other places.

  2. 2

    By their grace, a tangible change appeared in his life, although he was only five years old.

  3. 3

    Such change is an important symptom after initiation by a bona fide spiritual master. Actual association with devotees brings a quick change toward spiritual realization.

Key points from the purport
  • In his previous life, when Nāradajī was impregnated with spiritual knowledge by the grace of the great sages, there was a tangible change in his life, although he was only a boy of five years.
  • Actual association of devotees brings about a quick change in life for spiritual realization.
  • How it so acted upon the previous life of Śrī Nārada Muni is described by and by in this chapter.

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. nāradaḥ uvācaŚrī Nārada said
  2. bhikṣubhiḥby the great sages
  3. vipravasitehaving departed for other places
  4. vijñānascientific spiritual knowledge
  5. ādeṣṭṛbhiḥthose who imparted unto me
  6. mamamine
  7. vartamānaḥpresent
  8. vayasi ādyebefore this life
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “grace”

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

What tangible change toward spiritual realization do I seek through association with devotees?

Practice

Make time today for a brief conversation with a devotee about spiritual realization.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotee Association Brings Tangible ChangeThis 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 1.6.5? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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