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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
5.10.35.10.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.10.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.10.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न वयं नरदेव प्रमत्ता भवन्नियमानुपथा: साध्वेव वहाम: । अयमधुनैव नियुक्तोऽपि न द्रुतं व्रजति नानेन सह वोढुमु ह वयं पारयाम इति ॥ ४ ॥

na vayaṁ nara-deva pramattā bhavan-niyamānupathāḥ sādhv eva vahāmaḥ. ayam adhunaiva niyukto ’pi na drutaṁ vrajati nānena saha voḍhum u ha vayaṁ pārayāma iti.

Translation

O lord, please note that we are not at all negligent in discharging our duties. We have been faithfully carrying this palanquin according to your desire, but this man who has been recently engaged to work with us cannot walk very swiftly. Therefore we are not able to carry the palanquin with him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Compassion Can Disrupt an Ordinary Task

  1. 1

    The carriers insisted that they were faithfully carrying out the King's orders. They blamed the uneven movement on the newly engaged carrier.

  2. 2

    The purport identifies the other carriers as śūdras and Jaḍa Bharata as a brāhmaṇa and great devotee. Their different ways of carrying out the duty created an imbalance.

  3. 3

    The other carriers walked without caring for the ants, but Jaḍa Bharata could not do so. His compassion as a Vaiṣṇava prevented him from keeping their pace.

Key points from the purport
  • The other palanquin carriers were śūdras, whereas Jaḍa Bharata was not only a high-caste brāhmaṇa but also a great devotee.
  • Śūdras do not sympathize with other living beings, but a Vaiṣṇava cannot act like a śūdra.
  • The śūdras were walking with the palanquin without at all caring for the ants on the ground, but Jaḍa Bharata could not act like a śūdra, and therefore difficulty arose.

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 was therefore forced to carry the palanquin. Jaḍa Bharata, however, did not protest this proud order, but humbly accepted the job and carried the palanquin.
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. vayamwe
  3. nara-devaO lord among human beings (the king is supposed to be the representative of deva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead)
  4. pramattāḥneglectful in our duties
  5. bhavat-niyama-anupathāḥwho are always obedient to your order
  6. sādhuproperly
  7. evacertainly
  8. vahāmaḥwe are carrying
3

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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “duties”, “duty”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.10

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “compassion”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I willing to work more slowly when care for other living beings requires it?

Practice

During one task today, take the extra moment needed to avoid harming a small living being.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCompassion Can Disrupt an Ordinary TaskThis 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 5.10.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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