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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 7: The Son of Droṇa Punished
1.7.11.7.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.7.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

ब्रह्मनद्यां सरस्वत्यामाश्रम: पश्चिमे तटे ।

शम्याप्रास इति प्रोक्त ऋषीणां सत्रवर्धन: ॥ २ ॥

sūta uvāca

brahma-nadyāṁ sarasvatyām

āśramaḥ paścime taṭe

śamyāprāsa iti prokta

ṛṣīṇāṁ satra-vardhanaḥ

Translation

Śrī Sūta said: On the western bank of the river Sarasvatī, which is intimately related with the Vedas, there is a cottage for meditation at Śamyāprāsa which enlivens the transcendental activities of the sages.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Make Spiritual Culture Foremost

  1. 1

    A suitable place and atmosphere are required for advancement in spiritual knowledge. Śamyāprāsa, on the western bank of the Sarasvatī, was especially suitable.

  2. 2

    Vyāsadeva was a householder, yet his home was called an āśrama. An āśrama is a place where spiritual culture is always foremost.

  3. 3

    All stages of life share the same mission: realization of the Supreme. None is less important in spiritual culture, though sannyāsīs are especially respected for practical renunciation.

Key points from the purport
  • For spiritual advancement of knowledge a suitable place and atmosphere are definitely required.
  • Śrīla Vyāsadeva was a householder, yet his residential place is called an āśrama.
  • An āśrama is a place where spiritual culture is always foremost.

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

Grief → Trust. Violence and bereavement make Kṛṣṇa's protective presence precious.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 1: Postwar anguish, Kuntī and Bhīṣma. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: The Son of Droṇa Punished

Vyāsadeva compiles Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam; Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā, and Kṛṣṇa addresses the question of his punishment.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sūtaḥŚrī Sūta
  2. uvācasaid
  3. brahma-nadyāmon the bank of the river intimately related with Vedas, brāhmaṇas, saints, and the Lord
  4. sarasvatyāmSarasvatī
  5. āśramaḥcottage for meditation
  6. paścimeon the west
  7. taṭebank
  8. śamyāprāsaḥthe place named Śamyāprāsa
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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 1.7

    In this verse: “householder”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “āśrama”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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 would make spiritual culture more central in my home?

Practice

Prepare one quiet spot in your home for spiritual study today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

1 lecture given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayMake Spiritual Culture ForemostThis 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 1.7.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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