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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
1.6.81.6.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.6.9

Nirodha· Winding up
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 1.6.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaNārada Muni → Vyāsadeva

एकदा निर्गतां गेहाद्दुहन्तीं निशि गां पथि ।

सर्पोऽदशत्पदा स्पृष्ट: कृपणां कालचोदित: ॥ ९ ॥

ekadā nirgatāṁ gehād

duhantīṁ niśi gāṁ pathi

sarpo ’daśat padā spṛṣṭaḥ

kṛpaṇāṁ kāla-coditaḥ

Translation

Once upon a time, my poor mother, when going out one night to milk a cow, was bitten on the leg by a serpent, influenced by supreme time.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Brought Completely to the Lord’s Mercy

  1. 1

    One night, Nārada’s mother went out to milk a cow and was bitten on the leg by a serpent influenced by supreme time.

  2. 2

    His affectionate mother had been the boy’s only caretaker.

  3. 3

    The purport explains that she was taken away by the supreme will to bring this sincere soul nearer to God. Nārada was placed completely at the Lord’s mercy.

Key points from the purport
  • That is the way of dragging a sincere soul nearer to God.
  • The poor boy was being looked after only by his affectionate mother, and yet the mother was taken from the world by the supreme will in order to put him completely at the mercy of the Lord.

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. ekadāonce upon a time
  2. nirgatāmhaving gone away
  3. gehātfrom home
  4. duhantīmfor milking
  5. niśiat night
  6. gāmthe cow
  7. pathion the path
  8. sarpaḥsnake
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead

    What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “mother”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.6

    In this verse: “mercy”

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 does Nārada’s experience invite me to reflect on dependence upon the Lord?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer expressing your need for the Lord’s mercy.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayBrought Completely to the Lord’s MercyThis 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 1.6.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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