1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
5.12.25.12.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.12.3

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Rahūgaṇasince 5.12.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

तस्माद्भ‍वन्तं मम संशयार्थं

प्रक्ष्यामि पश्चादधुना सुबोधम् ।

अध्यात्मयोगग्रथितं तवोक्त-

माख्याहि कौतूहलचेतसो मे ॥ ३ ॥

tasmād bhavantaṁ mama saṁśayārthaṁ

prakṣyāmi paścād adhunā subodham

adhyātma-yoga-grathitaṁ tavoktam

ākhyāhi kautūhala-cetaso me

Translation

Whatever doubts I have about a particular subject matter I shall ask you about later. For the time being, these mysterious yoga instructions you have given me for self-realization appear very difficult to understand. Please repeat them in a simple way so that I can understand them. My mind is very inquisitive, and I want to understand this clearly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn Through Humble Questions and Service

  1. 1

    An intelligent person should be deeply inquisitive about transcendental science and approach a guru, a spiritual master.

  2. 2

    The student should surrender to the spiritual master and ask questions to understand his instructions. Rahūgaṇa requests a simpler explanation rather than pretending to understand.

  3. 3

    The student should also render loving service so that the spiritual master is pleased to explain clearly. A challenging spirit should be avoided.

Key points from the purport
  • Therefore one must approach a guru, a spiritual master.
  • One should not only surrender to the spiritual master but also render loving service unto him (sevayā) so that the spiritual master will be pleased with the student and explain the transcendental subject matter more clearly.
  • A challenging spirit before the spiritual master should be avoided if one is at all interested in learning the Vedic instructions in depth.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 5.12.3 quotesBG 4.34

As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (4.34): tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Because Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa was still doubtful about his enlightenment, he asked the brāhmaṇa Jaḍa Bharata to repeat his instructions and clarify ideas he could not understand. In this chapter, Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa offers his respectful obeisances to Jaḍa Bharata, who was concealing his real position.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasmāttherefore
  2. bhavantamto you
  3. mamaof me
  4. saṁśaya-arthamthe subject matter that is not clear to me
  5. prakṣyāmiI shall submit
  6. paścātafterwards
  7. adhunānow
  8. su-bodhamso that it can be clearly understood
3

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 5.12

    In this verse: “understand”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.12

    In this verse: “surrender”

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

Do I ask spiritual questions to understand, or to challenge?

Practice

Write one sincere question about an instruction you do not understand, phrasing it respectfully and asking for clarification.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn Through Humble Questions and 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 5.12.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories