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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
1.6.71.6.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.8

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

अहं च तद्ब्रह्मकुले ऊषिवांस्तदुपेक्षया ।

दिग्देशकालाव्युत्पन्नो बालक: पञ्चहायन: ॥ ८ ॥

ahaṁ ca tad-brahma-kule

ūṣivāṁs tad-upekṣayā

dig-deśa-kālāvyutpanno

bālakaḥ pañca-hāyanaḥ

Translation

When I was a mere child of five years, I lived in a brāhmaṇa school. I was dependent on my mother’s affection and had no experience of different lands.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Recognize a Child’s Dependence

  1. 1

    Nārada was only five years old.

  2. 2

    He lived in a brāhmaṇa school and depended on his mother’s affection.

  3. 3

    He had no experience of different lands.

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. ahamI
  2. caalso
  3. tatthat
  4. brahma-kulein the school of the brāhmaṇas
  5. ūṣivānlived
  6. tather
  7. upekṣayābeing dependent on
  8. dik-deśadirection and country
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “mother’s”, “child”

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 does this description help me understand about Nārada’s childhood dependence?

Practice

Pause to appreciate one person whose care supported you when you were young and inexperienced.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRecognize a Child’s DependenceThis 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 1.6.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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