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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 8: Prayers by Queen Kuntī and Parīkṣit Saved
1.8.441.8.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.8.45

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.8.44inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तां बाढमित्युपामन्‍त्र्य प्रविश्य गजसाह्वयम् ।

स्त्रियश्च स्वपुरं यास्यन् प्रेम्णा राज्ञा निवारित: ॥ ४५ ॥

tāṁ bāḍham ity upāmantrya

praviśya gajasāhvayam

striyaś ca sva-puraṁ yāsyan

premṇā rājñā nivāritaḥ

Translation

Thus accepting the prayers of Śrīmatī Kuntīdevī, the Lord subsequently informed other ladies of His departure by entering the palace of Hastināpura. But upon preparing to leave, He was stopped by King Yudhiṣṭhira, who implored Him lovingly.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Loving Service Wins the Independent Lord

  1. 1

    The Lord accepted Kuntīdevī’s prayers and prepared to depart. King Yudhiṣṭhira then lovingly asked Him to remain.

  2. 2

    No one could otherwise make Kṛṣṇa stay, but the King’s simple, affectionate request was immediately effective. The almighty God is conquered only by loving service.

  3. 3

    The Lord remains fully independent in all His dealings. Yet He voluntarily accepts obligations through the loving affection of His pure devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • No one could make Lord Kṛṣṇa stay at Hastināpura when He decided to start for Dvārakā, but the simple request of King Yudhiṣṭhira that the Lord remain there for a few days more was immediately effective.
  • This signifies that the power of King Yudhiṣṭhira was loving affection, which the Lord could not deny.
  • The almighty God is thus conquered only by loving service and nothing else.

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. tāmall those
  2. bāḍhamaccepted
  3. itithus
  4. upāmantryasubsequently informed
  5. praviśyaentering
  6. gajasāhvayamthe palace of Hastināpura
  7. striyaḥ caother ladies
  8. sva-puramown residence
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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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.8

    In this verse: “king”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I approaching the Lord with loving affection or with a wish to control the outcome?

Practice

Offer one simple prayer today as an expression of affection, without making a demand.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

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

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayLoving Service Wins the Independent LordThis 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.

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