1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526

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 5 · Chapter 1: The Activities of Mahārāja Priyavrata
5.1.405.2.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.1.41

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 5.1.37inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

भौमं दिव्यं मानुषं च महित्वं कर्मयोगजम् । यश्चक्रे निरयौपम्यं पुरुषानुजनप्रिय: ॥ ४१ ॥

bhaumaṁ divyaṁ mānuṣaṁ ca

mahitvaṁ karma-yogajam

yaś cakre nirayaupamyaṁ

puruṣānujana-priyaḥ

Translation

“As a great follower and devotee of the sage Nārada, Mahārāja Priyavrata considered hellish the opulences he had achieved by dint of fruitive activities and mystic power, whether in the lower or heavenly planetary systems or in human society.”

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Higher Taste Frees Us from Opulence

  1. 1

    As a great follower and devotee of Nārada, Mahārāja Priyavrata considered his material opulences hellish. Whether gained through fruitive activities or mystic power, such achievements held no attraction for him.

  2. 2

    A devotee knows that opulences in the lower, heavenly and human planetary systems are all material. Having tasted spiritual bliss, Mahārāja Priyavrata was not interested in any of them.

  3. 3

    Artificial renunciation of material opulences cannot endure; one must have a superior taste in spiritual life. The goal is devotional service, not material achievement.

Key points from the purport
  • Sometimes yogīs and jñānīs voluntarily give up all material opulences to practice their system of liberation and taste spiritual bliss.
  • One must have a superior taste in spiritual life; then he can give up material opulence.
  • Mahārāja Priyavrata had already tasted spiritual bliss, and therefore he had no interest in any of the material achievements available in the lower, higher or middle planetary systems.

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

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:

All of them were elevated to the post of Manu. Śukadeva Gosvāmī thus described how Mahārāja Priyavrata achieved liberation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. bhaumamof the lower planets
  2. divyamheavenly
  3. mānuṣamof human beings
  4. caalso
  5. mahitvamall opulences
  6. karmaby fruitive activities
  7. yogaby mystic power
  8. jamborn
3

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: “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 developing a higher taste in devotional service change what I consider worth achieving?

Practice

Today, set aside five minutes you would normally spend thinking about material gains, and use them to reflect on Priyavrata’s satisfaction in spiritual bliss.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayA Higher Taste Frees Us from OpulenceThis 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 5.1.41? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories