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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 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved
1.8.31.8.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.8.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.8.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सान्‍त्वयामास मुनिभिर्हतबन्धूञ्शुचार्पितान् ।

भूतेषु कालस्य गतिं दर्शयन्न प्रतिक्रियाम् ॥ ४ ॥

sāntvayām āsa munibhir

hata-bandhūñ śucārpitān

bhūteṣu kālasya gatiṁ

darśayan na pratikriyām

Translation

Citing the stringent laws of the Almighty and their reactions upon living beings, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the munis began to pacify those who were shocked and affected.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Knowledge Relieves Grief and Illusion

  1. 1

    Nature’s stringent laws operate under the Supreme Personality of Godhead and cannot be altered by living beings. Bona fide religion means abiding by the Lord’s orders, clearly declared in the Bhagavad-gītā.

  2. 2

    Human life is meant for spiritual liberty, not attachment to temporary possessions. Mukti means returning to one’s original spiritual status, in which one can render transcendental loving service to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Association with the Lord’s devotees and hearing transcendental sound clear away material misgivings. Kṛṣṇa pacified the grieving family through spiritual knowledge.

Key points from the purport
  • As long as we are in the material world, our duty is to follow the orders of the Lord, and if by the grace of the Lord we are liberated from the clutches of the material world, then in our liberated stage also we can render transcendental loving service unto the Lord.
  • In our material stage we can see neither ourselves nor the Lord for want of spiritual vision.
  • But when we are liberated from material affection and are situated in our original spiritual form we can see both ourselves and the Lord face to face.

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 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved

Kṛṣṇa protects Parīkṣit, Kuntī prays for undivided attraction to Him, and Yudhiṣṭhira grieves.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.8
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. sāntvayām āsapacified
  2. munibhiḥalong with the munis present there
  3. hata-bandhūnthose who lost their friends and relatives
  4. śucārpitānall shocked and affected
  5. bhūteṣuunto the living beings
  6. kālasyaof the supreme law of the Almighty
  7. gatimreactions
  8. darśayandemonstrated
  9. nano
  10. pratikriyāmremedial measures
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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 1.8

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “hearing”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which temporary possession or attachment most distracts you from your spiritual purpose?

Practice

Spend five minutes hearing a devotee explain the Lord’s teachings.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Knowledge Relieves Grief and IllusionThis 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 1.8.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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