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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.7.5 1.7.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.6

Mukti· Liberation

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.7.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अनर्थोपशमं साक्षाद्भक्तियोगमधोक्षजे ।

लोकस्याजानतो विद्वांश्चक्रे सात्वतसंहिताम् ॥ ६ ॥

anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād

bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje

lokasyājānato vidvāṁś

cakre sātvata-saṁhitām

Translation

The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service. But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Relieves Unwanted Miseries

1
Vyāsadeva saw the conditioned souls’ unwanted miseries and their remedy: devotional service. Because people did not know this remedy, he compiled this Vedic literature.
2
Devotional service begins with hearing and chanting the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s name, fame and glory. Even these prescribed practices directly lessen unwanted material miseries.
3
Reviving love of Godhead depends on the Lord’s causeless mercy, not mechanical practice. He may grant loving service when pleased with sincere effort, and ultimate knowledge depends on devotional service.

Key points from the purport

And at last he saw the remedial measure for the conditioned souls, namely the process of devotional service.
But even with the prescribed forms of hearing and chanting, there is at once mitigation of the superfluous and unwanted miseries of material existence.
Rather, knowledge is dependent on devotional service for the ultimate realization of the Supreme Truth.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 5

Quoted in the purport ofSB 4.29.36-37

As stated in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (1.7.6): “The material miseries of the living entity, which are superfluous to him, can be directly mitigated by the linking process of devotional service.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 6.5.30

But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.1.14

But the mass of people do not know this, and therefore the learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Vedic literature, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is in relation to the Supreme Truth.”

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.8.21

Lokasyājānato vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitām. Vyāsadeva compiled Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, under the instruction of Nārada, so that anyone can take advantage of this literature, think of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes and always be liberated.

Quoted in the purport ofSB 10.11.58

cakre sātvata-saṁhitām. Vyāsadeva has given this literature so that everyone may understand one’s transcendental position simply by discussing bhāgavata-kathā.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

anarthathings which are superfluous
upaśamammitigation
sākṣātdirectly
bhakti-yogamthe linking process of devotional service
adhokṣajeunto the Transcendence
lokasyaof the general mass of men
ajānataḥthose who are unaware of
vidvānthe supremely learned

Key ideas in this verse

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

Mukti · Liberation
What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.7
In this verse: “devotional service”
Kṛpā · Divine mercy
Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.7
In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.7
In this verse: “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make my hearing and chanting more sincere rather than mechanical?

Practice

Set aside five minutes to hear or chant the Lord’s name and glory with attentive, sincere effort.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

6 lectures given on it · quoted in 30 more lectures. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Show 4 more lectures on it

Quoted in 30 other lectures

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayDevotional Service Relieves Unwanted MiseriesOne of the 108 chosen lessons: a practice and a question from this verse

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 1.7.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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