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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
5.10.165.10.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Rahūgaṇasince 5.10.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

नाहं विशङ्के सुरराजवज्रा-

न्न त्र्यक्षशूलान्न यमस्य दण्डात् ।

नाग्‍न्‍यर्कसोमानिलवित्तपास्त्रा-

च्छङ्के भृशं ब्रह्मकुलावमानात् ॥ १७ ॥

nāhaṁ viśaṅke sura-rāja-vajrān

na tryakṣa-śūlān na yamasya daṇḍāt

nāgny-arka-somānila-vittapāstrāc

chaṅke bhṛśaṁ brahma-kulāvamānāt

Translation

My dear sir, I am not at all afraid of the thunderbolt of King Indra, nor am I afraid of the serpentine, piercing trident of Lord Śiva. I do not care about the punishment of Yamarāja, the superintendent of death, nor am I afraid of fire, scorching sun, moon, wind, nor the weapons of Kuvera. Yet I am afraid of offending a brāhmaṇa. I am very much afraid of this.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Offenses to Devotees Seriously

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa feared offending a brāhmaṇa more than powerful weapons or punishment. He understood the seriousness of his offense against Jaḍa Bharata.

  2. 2

    Offending a Vaiṣṇava is compared to a mad elephant entering a garden. Just as the elephant destroys fruits and flowers, such an offense spoils one’s spiritual assets.

  3. 3

    The King frankly admitted his fault. He descended from his palanquin and bowed at Jaḍa Bharata’s feet to seek forgiveness.

Key points from the purport
  • Offending a brāhmaṇa is very dangerous, and this was known to Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa.
  • There are many dangerous things — thunderbolts, fire, Yamarāja’s punishment, the punishment of Lord Śiva’s trident, and so forth — but none is considered as serious as offending a brāhmaṇa like Jaḍa Bharata.
  • Therefore Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa immediately descended from his palanquin and fell flat before the lotus feet of the brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharata just to be excused.

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:

He now wanted to understand the deep meaning of the philosophical words used by Jaḍa Bharata, and with great sincerity he begged his pardon. He admitted that if one offends the lotus feet of a pure devotee he is certainly punished by the trident of Lord Śiva.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. ahamI
  3. viśaṅkeam afraid
  4. sura-rāja-vajrātfrom the thunderbolt of the King of heaven, Indra
  5. nanor
  6. tryakṣa-śūlātfrom the piercing trident of Lord Śiva
  7. nanor
  8. yamasyaof the superintendent of death, Yamarāja
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “afraid”, “death”, “feared”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “offending”, “offense”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When I speak disrespectfully to a devotee, am I ready to admit my fault?

Practice

If you have spoken disrespectfully to a devotee, offer a simple apology today without defending your words.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Offenses to Devotees SeriouslyThis 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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