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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 10: The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa
5.10.105.10.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.11

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The great brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharatasince 5.10.9inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

जीवन्मृतत्वं नियमेन राजन्

आद्यन्तवद्यद्विकृतस्य द‍ृष्टम् ।

स्वस्वाम्यभावो ध्रुव ईड्य यत्र

तर्ह्युच्यतेऽसौ विधिकृत्ययोग: ॥ ११ ॥

jīvan-mṛtatvaṁ niyamena rājan

ādyantavad yad vikṛtasya dṛṣṭam

sva-svāmya-bhāvo dhruva īḍya yatra

tarhy ucyate ’sau vidhikṛtya-yogaḥ

Translation

My dear King, you have unnecessarily accused me of being dead though alive. In this regard, I can only say that this is the case everywhere because everything material has its beginning and end. As far as your thinking that you are the king and master and are thus trying to order me, this is also incorrect because these positions are temporary. Today you are a king and I am your servant, but tomorrow the position may be changed, and you may be my servant and I your master. These are temporary circumstances created by providence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Kṛṣṇa Alone Is the Ultimate Master

  1. 1

    The bodily conception is the basic cause of suffering in material existence. The body changes constantly, and positions such as king and servant are temporary.

  2. 2

    No one in the material world is an independent master. Everyone is controlled by material nature, which is under the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate master, and everyone else is His servant. Forgetfulness of this relationship brings suffering.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually no one is master within the material world, for everyone is under the control of material nature, which is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is the ultimate master.
  • Forgetfulness of our relationship with the Supreme Lord brings about our suffering in the material world.

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

Misjudgment → Humility and insight. Spiritual insight hides behind social appearances.

Chapters 10–14 of Canto 5: Jaḍa Bharata instructs Rahūgaṇa. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 10: The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Jaḍa Bharata, however, did not protest this proud order, but humbly accepted the job and carried the palanquin. While carrying it, however, he was very careful to see that he did not step on an ant, and whenever he saw one he would stop until the ant had passed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.10
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. jīvat-mṛtatvamthe quality of being dead while living
  2. niyamenaby the laws of nature
  3. rājanO King
  4. ādi-anta-vateverything material has a beginning and an end
  5. yatbecause
  6. vikṛtasyaof things that are transformed, such as the body
  7. dṛṣṭamis seen
  8. sva-svāmya-bhāvaḥthe condition of servanthood and mastership
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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 5.10

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “king”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “suffering”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which temporary role do I sometimes mistake for my true identity?

Practice

Before one task today, pause and remember: “Kṛṣṇa is the master, and I am His servant.”

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKṛṣṇa Alone Is the Ultimate MasterThis 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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