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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 10: The Discussion Between Jaḍa Bharata and Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa
5.10.205.10.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.21

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

द‍ृष्ट: श्रम: कर्मत आत्मनो वै

भर्तुर्गन्तुर्भवतश्चानुमन्ये ।

यथासतोदानयनाद्यभावात्

समूल इष्टो व्यवहारमार्ग: ॥ २१ ॥

dṛṣṭaḥ śramaḥ karmata ātmano vai

bhartur gantur bhavataś cānumanye

yathāsatodānayanādy-abhāvāt

samūla iṣṭo vyavahāra-mārgaḥ

Translation

You have said, “I am not fatigued from labor.” Although the soul is different from the body, there is fatigue because of bodily labor, and it appears to be the fatigue of the soul. When you are carrying the palanquin, there is certainly labor for the soul. This is my conjecture. You have also said that the external behavior exhibited between the master and the servant is not factual, but although in the phenomenal world it is not factual, the products of the phenomenal world can actually affect things. That is visible and experienced. As such, even though material activities are impermanent, they cannot be said to be untrue.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Temporary Does Not Mean False

  1. 1

    Vaiṣṇava philosophers understand that the material world is a temporary manifestation, but it is not false.

  2. 2

    Fatigue does not belong to the soul itself. Yet while immersed in the bodily conception, the conditioned soul suffers, just as a frightening dream affects its dreamer.

  3. 3

    A waterpot is made of earth and is temporary, yet it can hold water. Its temporary nature does not make its practical use false.

Key points from the purport
  • The Māyāvāda philosophy explains this phenomenal world to be false, but Vaiṣṇava philosophers do not agree.
  • The soul’s fatigue is not factual, but as long as one is immersed in the illusory bodily conception, one is affected by such false dreams.
  • Actually there is no waterpot; there is simply earth.

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:

The King within the palanquin became very disturbed and chastised Jaḍa Bharata with filthy language, but Jaḍa Bharata, being completely freed from the bodily conception, did not protest; he proceeded carrying the palanquin. When he continued as before, the King threatened him with punishment, and being threatened by the King, Jaḍa Bharata began to talk.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.10
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dṛṣṭaḥit is experienced by everyone
  2. śramaḥfatigue
  3. karmataḥfrom acting in some way
  4. ātmanaḥof the soul
  5. vaiindeed
  6. bhartuḥof one who is carrying the palanquin
  7. gantuḥof one who is moving
  8. bhavataḥof yourself
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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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “philosophers”, “understand”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I confuse something being temporary with its having no real effect or use?

Practice

When using a pot or cup today, notice that it is temporary yet serves a practical purpose.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTemporary Does Not Mean FalseThis 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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