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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
5.12.35.12.5-6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.12.4

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

यदाह योगेश्वर द‍ृश्यमानं

क्रियाफलं सद्‌व्यहारमूलम् ।

न ह्यञ्जसा तत्त्वविमर्शनाय

भवानमुष्मिन् भ्रमते मनो मे ॥ ४ ॥

yad āha yogeśvara dṛśyamānaṁ

kriyā-phalaṁ sad-vyavahāra-mūlam

na hy añjasā tattva-vimarśanāya

bhavān amuṣmin bhramate mano me

Translation

O master of yogic power, you said that fatigue resulting from moving the body here and there is appreciated by direct perception but actually there is no fatigue. It simply exists as a matter of formality. By such inquiries and answers, no one can come to the conclusion of the Absolute Truth. Because of your presentation of this statement, my mind is a little disturbed.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Tolerate Temporary Pains and Pleasures

  1. 1

    Rahūgaṇa feels disturbed because he cannot reconcile directly perceived fatigue with Jaḍa Bharata’s explanation.

  2. 2

    Formal questions and answers about the bodily conception do not constitute knowledge of the Absolute Truth. That knowledge is different from understanding bodily pains and pleasures.

  3. 3

    Lord Kṛṣṇa teaches that bodily pains and pleasures are temporary and come and go. One should tolerate them and continue with spiritual realization.

Key points from the purport
  • Formal inquiries and answers about the bodily conception do not constitute knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
  • Knowledge of the Absolute Truth is quite different from the formal understanding of bodily pains and pleasures.
  • One should not be disturbed by them but should tolerate them and continue with spiritual realization.

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:

Later, because he was doubtful about the subjects discussed, he made further inquiries, one question after another. First he wanted to be released from the offense he had committed at the lotus feet of Jaḍa Bharata.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatthat which
  2. āhahave said
  3. yoga-īśvaraO master of mystic power
  4. dṛśyamānambeing clearly seen
  5. kriyā-phalamthe results of moving the body here and there, such as feeling fatigue
  6. satexisting
  7. vyavahāra-mūlamwhose basis is etiquette alone
  8. nanot
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: “inquiries”, “absolute truth”, “knowledge”

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

How much do passing bodily pleasures and discomforts distract me from spiritual realization?

Practice

When a minor discomfort arises today, remember that it will pass and calmly continue your spiritual study.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTolerate Temporary Pains and PleasuresThis 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 5.12.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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