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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
5.1.75.1.9

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.1.8

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.1.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

स तत्र तत्र गगनतल उडुपतिरिव विमानावलिभिरनुपथममरपरिवृढैरभिपूज्यमान: पथि पथि च वरूथश: सिद्धगन्धर्वसाध्यचारणमुनिगणैरुपगीयमानो गन्धमादनद्रोणीमवभासयन्नुपससर्प ॥ ८ ॥

sa tatra tatra gagana-tala uḍu-patir iva vimānāvalibhir anupatham amara-parivṛḍhair abhipūjyamānaḥ pathi pathi ca varūthaśaḥ siddha-gandharva-sādhya-cāraṇa-muni-gaṇair upagīyamāno gandha-mādana-droṇīm avabhāsayann upasasarpa.

Translation

As Lord Brahmā descended on his carrier, the great swan, all the residents of the planets named Siddhaloka, Gandharvaloka, Sādhyaloka and Cāraṇaloka, as well as great sages and demigods flying in their different airplanes, assembled within the canopy of the sky to receive Lord Brahmā and worship him. As he received respect and adoration from the residents of the various planets, Lord Brahmā appeared just like the full moon surrounded by illuminating stars. Lord Brahmā’s great swan then arrived at the border of Gandhamādana Hill and approached Prince Priyavrata, who was sitting there.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Different Planets Have Distinct Opulences

  1. 1

    The purport describes regular travel between the planets of the demigods. Residents of different planets assembled in the sky to receive and honor Lord Brahmā.

  2. 2

    Each planetary system has a unique opulence. Siddhaloka’s residents possess advanced mystic powers, Gandharvaloka’s residents excel in music, and Sādhyaloka’s residents are great saints.

  3. 3

    Brahmā traveled on a great swan to Gandhamādana Hill, where Priyavrata, Nārada and Svāyambhuva Manu were sitting. Surrounded by those honoring him, he appeared like the full moon among illuminating stars.

Key points from the purport
  • Another significant point is that there is a planet covered mostly by great mountains, one of which is Gandhamādana Hill.
  • Similarly, the residents of Gandharvaloka are expert in musical science, and those on Sādhyaloka are all great saints.
  • The interplanetary system undoubtedly exists, and residents of different planets may go from one to another.

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:

He accepted the kingdom, however, at the request of such superior demigods as Lord Brahmā and Lord Indra, the King of heaven. Everything is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, and everyone must work accordingly.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. saḥhe (Lord Brahmā)
  2. tatra tatrahere and there
  3. gagana-taleunder the canopy of the sky
  4. uḍu-patiḥthe moon
  5. ivalike
  6. vimāna-āvalibhiḥin their different airplanes
  7. anupathamalong the path
  8. amaraof the demigods
3

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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “worship”

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

What does the respectful welcome offered to Brahmā invite me to notice?

Practice

Reread the description of Brahmā’s welcome and pause to appreciate the respect shown by the assembled sages and demigods.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDifferent Planets Have Distinct OpulencesThis 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 5.1.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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