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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
5.10.245.11.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.25

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

न विक्रिया विश्वसुहृत्सखस्यसाम्येन वीताभिमतेस्तवापि । महद्विमानात् स्वकृताद्धि माद‍ृङ्नङ्‌क्ष्यत्यदूरादपि शूलपाणि: ॥ २५ ॥

na vikriyā viśva-suhṛt-sakhasya

sāmyena vītābhimates tavāpi

mahad-vimānāt sva-kṛtād dhi mādṛṅ

naṅkṣyaty adūrād api śūlapāṇiḥ

Translation

O my dear lord, you are the friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all living entities. You are therefore equal to everyone, and you are free from the bodily conception. Although I have committed an offense by insulting you, I know that there is no loss or gain for you due to my insult. You are fixed in your determination, but I have committed an offense. Because of this, even though I may be as strong as Lord Śiva, I shall be vanquished without delay due to my offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Never Take Offending Devotees Lightly

  1. 1

    Jaḍa Bharata was free from bodily identification and equal toward everyone. As a friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he remained undisturbed by the King’s insult.

  2. 2

    The devotee’s steadiness does not remove the offender’s responsibility. Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa understood the danger and was anxious to be excused.

  3. 3

    Even strength like Lord Śiva’s cannot protect someone who insults a Vaiṣṇava from spiritual downfall. Everyone should therefore be very cautious not to commit such an offense.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa was very intelligent and conscious of the inauspicious effects arising from insulting a Vaiṣṇava.
  • Following in the footsteps of Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa, everyone should be very cautious not to commit an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.
  • Even if a person is as strong as Lord Śiva, if he blasphemes a Vaiṣṇava he is sure to be destroyed.

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. vikriyāmaterial transformation
  3. viśva-suhṛtof the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is a friend to everyone
  4. sakhasyaof you, the friend
  5. sāmyenabecause of your mental equilibrium
  6. vīta-abhimateḥwho has completely forsaken the bodily concept of life
  7. tavayour
  8. apiindeed
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Dainya · Humility

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

    In this verse: “offense”, “offender’s”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “free from”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “friend”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I assume that insulting a devotee is harmless if that person does not seem disturbed?

Practice

Before speaking about a devotee today, pause and remove any insulting words from what you intend to say.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayNever Take Offending Devotees LightlyThis 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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