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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
5.10.175.10.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.18

Mukti· Liberation
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

तद्ब्रूह्यसङ्गो जडवन्निगूढ-

विज्ञानवीर्यो विचरस्यपार: ।

वचांसि योगग्रथितानि साधो

न न: क्षमन्ते मनसापि भेत्तुम् ॥ १८ ॥

tad brūhy asaṅgo jaḍavan nigūḍha-

vijñāna-vīryo vicarasy apāraḥ

vacāṁsi yoga-grathitāni sādho

na naḥ kṣamante manasāpi bhettum

Translation

My dear sir, it appears that the influence of your great spiritual knowledge is hidden. Factually you are bereft of all material association and fully absorbed in the thought of the Supreme. Consequently you are unlimitedly advanced in spiritual knowledge. Please tell me why you are wandering around like a dullard. O great saintly person, you have spoken words approved by the yogic process, but it is not possible for us to understand what you have said. Therefore kindly explain it.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Chant to Become Ready for Spiritual Understanding

  1. 1

    Saintly people like Jaḍa Bharata speak words approved by those advanced in spiritual life. Rahūgaṇa admitted that he could not understand and asked for an explanation.

  2. 2

    Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu gave chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra for the benefit of the fallen souls of Kali-yuga. Through chanting, people become purified and able to understand spiritual teachings.

  3. 3

    As people become purified, they can learn the teachings of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. A Vaiṣṇava knows how to help even those without spiritual understanding become enlightened.

Key points from the purport
  • The listener must also be advanced to understand the words of such exalted, spiritually advanced people as Jaḍa Bharata.
  • The general mass of people, although śūdras and less, can be purified by chanting this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
  • Materialistic people like strī, śūdra and dvija-bandhu cannot understand words of spiritual advancement, yet one can take to the shelter of a Vaiṣṇava, for he knows the art of enlightening even śūdras in the highly elevated subject matter spoken in Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

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. tattherefore
  2. brūhiplease speak
  3. asaṅgaḥwho have no association with the material world
  4. jaḍa-vatappearing like a deaf and dumb man
  5. nigūḍhacompletely hidden
  6. vijñāna-vīryaḥwho have full knowledge of the spiritual science and are thus very powerful
  7. vicarasiyou are moving
  8. apāraḥwho possess unlimited spiritual glories
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to seek purification and guidance rather than expect to understand everything immediately?

Practice

Spend a few quiet minutes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra before studying today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayChant to Become Ready for Spiritual UnderstandingThis 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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