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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
5.1.25.1.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.1.3

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

महतां खलु विप्रर्षे उत्तमश्लोकपादयो: ।

छायानिर्वृतचित्तानां न कुटुम्बे स्पृहामति: ॥ ३ ॥

mahatāṁ khalu viprarṣe

uttamaśloka-pādayoḥ

chāyā-nirvṛta-cittānāṁ

na kuṭumbe spṛhā-matiḥ

Translation

Elevated mahātmās who have taken shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are fully satiated by the shade of those lotus feet. Their consciousness cannot possibly become attached to family members.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord’s Shelter Gives a Higher Taste

  1. 1

    Great devotees are fully satisfied under the shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Their consciousness does not become attached to family members.

  2. 2

    Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura describes the shade of Lord Nityānanda’s lotus feet as cooling and relieving. Those suffering in the blazing fire of material activities can find satisfaction there.

  3. 3

    One gives up lower engagements by experiencing a higher taste. Taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet brings detachment from the activities of family life.

Key points from the purport
  • He describes the shade of the lotus feet of Lord Nityānanda as being so nice and cooling that all materialists, who are always in the blazing fire of material activities, may come under the shade of His lotus feet and be fully relieved and satiated.
  • The distinction between family life and spiritual life can be experienced by any person who has undergone the tribulations of living with a family.
  • Thus one becomes detached from family life as soon as he comes under the shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord.

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· 1

The purport of SB 5.1.3 quotesBG 2.59

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.59), paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate: one gives up lower engagements when he experiences a higher taste.

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:

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 summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. mahatāmof great devotees
  2. khalucertainly
  3. vipra-ṛṣeO great sage among the brāhmaṇas
  4. uttama-śloka-pādayoḥof the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  5. chāyāby the shade
  6. nirvṛtasatiated
  7. cittānāmwhose consciousness
  8. nanever
  9. kuṭumbeto family members
  10. spṛhā-matiḥconsciousness with attachment
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.1

    In this verse: “shelter”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.1

    In this verse: “devotees”

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

How might seeking the Lord’s shelter change what I turn to for relief?

Practice

During one stressful moment today, pause and pray for shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord’s Shelter Gives a Higher TasteThis 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 5.1.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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