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

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Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 5 · Chapter 1: The Activities of Mahārāja Priyavrata

5.1.11 5.1.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.1.12

Sthāna· The universe in order

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Lord Brahmāsince 5.1.11inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न तस्य कश्चित्तपसा विद्यया वा

न योगवीर्येण मनीषया वा ।

नैवार्थधर्मै: परत: स्वतो वा

कृतं विहन्तुं तनुभृद्विभूयात् ॥ १२ ॥

na tasya kaścit tapasā vidyayā vā

na yoga-vīryeṇa manīṣayā vā

naivārtha-dharmaiḥ parataḥ svato vā

kṛtaṁ vihantuṁ tanu-bhṛd vibhūyāt

Translation

One cannot avoid the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not by the strength of severe austerities, an exalted Vedic education, or the power of mystic yoga, physical prowess or intellectual activities. Nor can one use his power of religion, his material opulence or any other means, either by himself or with the help of others, to defy the orders of the Supreme Lord. That is not possible for any living being, from Brahmā down to the ant.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Everything in Kṛṣṇa’s Service

1
No living being can escape the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s control. Austerity, education, mystic power, intelligence and wealth cannot overcome His laws.
2
Priyavrata was to use his intelligence to follow both Brahmā and Nārada, neglecting neither. Material responsibilities should be accepted without attachment and connected with the Lord’s service.
3
Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the supreme proprietor and enjoyer. Family life or ruling a kingdom is not harmful when everything is accepted for His service, whatever the circumstances.

Key points from the purport

Mama māyā duratyayā: it is impossible to surpass the control of material nature, for the Supreme Personality of Godhead is working behind it.
Sometimes we are proud of our austerities, penances and mystic yogic powers, but it is clearly stated herein that one cannot surpass the laws and directions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, either by dint of mystic power, a scientific education, or austerities and penances.
Bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme proprietor and enjoyer, and therefore everything should be dovetailed for His enjoyment and service.

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· 2

The purport of SB 5.1.12 quotesBG 7.14

This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14).

The purport of SB 5.1.12 quotesBG 5.29

Everything is meant to be enjoyed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (5.29).

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

Responsibility → Renunciation. Leadership is set beside the renounced ideal.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 5: Priyavrata and Ṛṣabhadeva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 1: The Activities of Mahārāja Priyavrata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Everything is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, and everyone must work accordingly. Just as a bull is controlled by a rope tied to its nose, so all conditioned souls are forced to work under the spells of the modes of nature.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 5.1

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

nanever
tasyaHis
kaścitanyone
tapasāby austerity
vidyayāby education
vāor
nanever
yogaby power of mystic yoga

Key ideas in this verse

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

Sthāna · Planetary systems
How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10
Moha · Material attachment
The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.1
In this verse: “material”, “attachment”, “wealth”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.1
In this verse: “religion”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.1
In this verse: “kingdom”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What resource or responsibility can I use for Kṛṣṇa’s service rather than merely for my own enjoyment?

Practice

Choose one resource you already have—time, money or a useful possession—and use a small part of it for Kṛṣṇa’s service today.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Everything in Kṛṣṇa’s ServiceThis 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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