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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
5.10.235.10.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.24

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Rahūgaṇasince 5.10.22inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

तन्मे भवान्नरदेवाभिमान-मदेन तुच्छीकृतसत्तमस्य । कृषीष्ट मैत्रीद‍ृशमार्तबन्धोयथा तरे सदवध्यानमंह: ॥ २४ ॥

tan me bhavān nara-devābhimāna-

madena tucchīkṛta-sattamasya

kṛṣīṣṭa maitrī-dṛśam ārta-bandho

yathā tare sad-avadhyānam aṁhaḥ

Translation

Whatever you have spoken appears to me to be contradictory. O best friend of the distressed, I have committed a great offense by insulting you. I was puffed up with false prestige due to possessing the body of a king. For this I have certainly become an offender. Therefore I pray that you kindly glance at me with your causeless mercy. If you do so, I can be relieved from sinful activities brought about by insulting you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Protect Devotion by Seeking Forgiveness

  1. 1

    Offending a Vaiṣṇava can destroy spiritual progress, just as a mad elephant destroys a carefully cultivated garden.

  2. 2

    False prestige led King Rahūgaṇa to insult Jaḍa Bharata. Recognizing his offense, he showed good sense by asking to be excused.

  3. 3

    Kṛṣṇa is by nature merciful. If one offends a Vaiṣṇava, one must immediately apologize to that person so that spiritual advancement is not hampered.

Key points from the purport
  • Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that by offending a Vaiṣṇava, one finishes all his spiritual activities.
  • Offending a Vaiṣṇava is considered the mad elephant offense.
  • When one commits an offense at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava, one must immediately apologize to such a personality so that his spiritual advancement may not be hampered.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tattherefore
  2. meunto me
  3. bhavānyour good self
  4. nara-deva-abhimāna-madenaby madness due to having the body of a king and thus being proud of it
  5. tucchīkṛtawho has insulted
  6. sat-tamasyayou who are the best among human beings
  7. kṛṣīṣṭakindly show
  8. maitrī-dṛśamyour causeless mercy upon me like a friend
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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

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offense”, “offender”, “offending”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “mercy”, “causeless”, “merciful”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “kindly”, “distressed”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Has pride led me to speak disrespectfully to a devotee?

Practice

If you have offended a devotee, offer a sincere apology today without defending your behavior.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayProtect Devotion by Seeking ForgivenessThis 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 5.10.24? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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