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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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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 5 · Chapter 1: The Activities of Mahārāja Priyavrata
5.1.15.1.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.1.2

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 5.1.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न नूनं मुक्तसङ्गानां ताद‍ृशानां द्विजर्षभ ।

गृहेष्वभिनिवेशोऽयं पुंसां भवितुमर्हति ॥ २ ॥

na nūnaṁ mukta-saṅgānāṁ

tādṛśānāṁ dvijarṣabha

gṛheṣv abhiniveśo ’yaṁ

puṁsāṁ bhavitum arhati

Translation

Devotees are certainly liberated persons. Therefore, O greatest of the brāhmaṇas, they cannot possibly be absorbed in family affairs.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Brings True Bliss

  1. 1

    Through devotional service, one can understand the transcendental position of the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Kṛṣṇa can be understood only through bhakti.

  2. 2

    Everyone searches for ānanda, or bliss, but true bliss is found in devotional service, not in the material world.

  3. 3

    Devotees and their associates are liberated, so attachment to family affairs is incompatible with their devotional position. This is why Parīkṣit was surprised by what he heard about Priyavrata.

Key points from the purport
  • In Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu it is said that by executing devotional service to the Lord, one can understand the transcendental position of the living being and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Attachment for family affairs and devotional service are incompatible.
  • Therefore Mahārāja Parīkṣit was somewhat surprised to hear that Mahārāja Priyavrata was simultaneously attached to devotional service and to family life.

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 5.1.2 quotesSB 11.14.21

The Lord confirms this in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.14.21).

The purport of SB 5.1.2 quotesBG 18.55

Similarly, in Bhagavad-gītā (18.55) Lord Kṛṣṇa says, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti: “simply by discharging devotional service, one can understand Me.”

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

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Activities of Mahārāja Priyavrata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

In response to the King’s inquiries, Śukadeva Gosvāmī said that devotional service, being transcendental, cannot be deviated by any material influences. Priyavrata had received transcendental knowledge from the instructions of Nārada, and therefore he did not want to enter a materialistic life of enjoyment in a kingdom.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.1
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. nūnamcertainly
  3. mukta-saṅgānāmwho are free from attachment
  4. tādṛśānāmsuch
  5. dvija-ṛṣabhaO greatest of the brāhmaṇas
  6. gṛheṣuto family life
  7. abhiniveśaḥexcessive attachment
  8. ayamthis
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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 5.1

    In this verse: “devotees”, “devotional service”, “bhakti”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.1

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 5.1

    In this verse: “understand”

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

Where am I looking for the lasting bliss that devotional service offers?

Practice

Reserve five minutes today for devotional service rather than seeking material enjoyment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 11.14.21

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 5.1's connections

Live this todayDevotional Service Brings True BlissThis 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 5.1.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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  3. Lead
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