1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

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
1.7.81.7.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.7.9

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.7.9inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

शौनक उवाच

स वै निवृत्तिनिरत: सर्वत्रोपेक्षको मुनि: ।

कस्य वा बृहतीमेतामात्माराम: समभ्यसत् ॥ ९ ॥

śaunaka uvāca

sa vai nivṛtti-nirataḥ

sarvatropekṣako muniḥ

kasya vā bṛhatīm etām

ātmārāmaḥ samabhyasat

Translation

Śrī Śaunaka asked Sūta Gosvāmī: Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī was already on the path of self-realization, and thus he was pleased with his own self. So why did he take the trouble to undergo the study of such a vast literature?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Bhāgavatam Attracts Even the Self-Satisfied

  1. 1

    Śaunaka asks why Śukadeva Gosvāmī studied such a vast literature when he was already satisfied in himself.

  2. 2

    Everyone seeks the highest pleasure, but their standards of pleasure differ. The ātmārāmas, who take pleasure in the self, are completely indifferent to material enjoyment.

  3. 3

    Even after attaining this stage, Śukadeva Gosvāmī was attracted to studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. It is therefore a postgraduate study even for those who have surpassed all studies of Vedic knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • For the people in general the highest perfection of life is to cease from material activities and be fixed on the path of self-realization.
  • Those who take pleasure in sense enjoyment, or those who are fixed in material bodily welfare work, are called karmīs.
  • Therefore, the standard of pleasure enjoyed by the karmīs is different from that of the ātmārāmas.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śaunakaḥ uvācaŚrī Śaunaka asked
  2. saḥhe
  3. vaiof course
  4. nivṛttion the path of self-realization
  5. nirataḥalways engaged
  6. sarvatrain every respect
  7. upekṣakaḥindifferent
  8. muniḥsage
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.7

    In this verse: “indifferent”

  • 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 does Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s willingness to study teach me about remaining open to deeper understanding?

Practice

Reread one sentence from this purport slowly, looking for something you have not yet understood.

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 todayBhāgavatam Attracts Even the Self-SatisfiedThis 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 1.7.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories