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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 12: Conversation Between Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata
5.12.125.12.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.12.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The self-realized brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharatasince 5.12.5-6inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

यत्रोत्तमश्लोकगुणानुवाद:

प्रस्तूयते ग्राम्यकथाविघात: ।

निषेव्यमाणोऽनुदिनं मुमुक्षो-

र्मतिं सतीं यच्छति वासुदेवे ॥ १३ ॥

yatrottamaśloka-guṇānuvādaḥ

prastūyate grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥ

niṣevyamāṇo ’nudinaṁ mumukṣor

matiṁ satīṁ yacchati vāsudeve

Translation

Who are the pure devotees mentioned here? In an assembly of pure devotees, there is no question of discussing material subjects like politics and sociology. In an assembly of pure devotees, there is discussion only of the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is praised and worshiped with full attention. In the association of pure devotees, by constantly hearing such topics respectfully, even a person who wants to merge into the existence of the Absolute Truth abandons this idea and gradually becomes attached to the service of Vāsudeva.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hear About Kṛṣṇa and Grow in Service

  1. 1

    Pure devotees discuss the qualities, forms and pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They praise and worship Him with full attention.

  2. 2

    A devotee should not waste time in unnecessary talk about worldly news. The devotee’s ambition is to serve Kṛṣṇa positively and seriously.

  3. 3

    Respectfully hearing about the Lord in pure devotees’ association gradually brings attachment to serving Vāsudeva. Even the desire to merge into the Absolute Truth is abandoned.

Key points from the purport
  • The pure devotee is never interested in material topics.
  • A devotee has no other ambition than to serve Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • A devotee is concerned only with serving Kṛṣṇa positively and seriously.

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 12: Conversation Between Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Ultimate realization of the Absolute Truth is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, called Vāsudeva by His devotees. Unless one is blessed with the dust from the feet of a pure devotee on his head, one cannot possibly become a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.12
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatrain which place (in the presence of exalted devotees)
  2. uttama-śloka-guṇa-anuvādaḥdiscussion of the pastimes and glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. prastūyateis presented
  4. grāmya-kathā-vighātaḥdue to which there is no chance of talking of worldly matters
  5. niṣevyamāṇaḥbeing heard very seriously
  6. anudinamday after day
  7. mumukṣoḥof persons who are very serious about getting out of material entanglement
  8. matimmeditation
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.12

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.12

    In this verse: “devotees”, “worshiped”, “worship”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 5.12

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Which of my conversations nourish my desire to serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Replace five minutes of unnecessary news discussion with attentive hearing about Kṛṣṇa’s qualities.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHear About Kṛṣṇa and Grow in ServiceThis 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 5.12.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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