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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 13: Further Talks Between King Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata
5.13.115.13.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.13.12

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Jaḍa Bharata, who had fully realized Brahmansince 5.13.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa

क्‍वचित्‍क्‍वचित्क्षीणधनस्तु तस्मिन्

शय्यासनस्थानविहारहीन: ।

याचन् परादप्रतिलब्धकाम:

पारक्यद‍ृष्टिर्लभतेऽवमानम् ॥ १२ ॥

kvacit kvacit kṣīṇa-dhanas tu tasmin

śayyāsana-sthāna-vihāra-hīnaḥ

yācan parād apratilabdha-kāmaḥ

pārakya-dṛṣṭir labhate ’vamānam

Translation

On the forest path of material existence, sometimes a person is without wealth and due to this does not have a proper home, bed or sitting place, nor proper family enjoyment. He therefore goes to beg money from others, but when his desires are not fulfilled by begging, he wants to borrow or steal the property of others. Thus he is insulted in society.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unsatisfied Desires Undermine Peace

  1. 1

    Without wealth, a person may lack a proper home, bed and sitting place. Unfulfilled desires can turn attention toward another person’s property.

  2. 2

    The purport describes a progression from begging to borrowing and then stealing. Being caught brings insult and dishonor.

  3. 3

    Attempts to satisfy the senses through trickery, cheating, begging, borrowing or stealing leave people without peace. Material desire keeps this struggle going.

Key points from the purport
  • The principles of beg, borrow or steal are very appropriate in this material world.
  • No one can live here very honestly; therefore by trickery, cheating, begging, borrowing or stealing, one tries to satisfy his senses.
  • Thus no one in this material world is living peacefully.

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 13: Further Talks Between King Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Having lost the path and not knowing where to go, being harassed by animals and birds, one is also victimized by many desires. Thus one works very hard within the forest and wanders here and there.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kvacit kvacitsometimes
  2. kṣīṇa-dhanaḥbecoming bereft of all riches
  3. tubut
  4. tasminin that forest
  5. śayyāof bedding for lying down
  6. āsanaof a sitting place
  7. sthānaof a residential house
  8. vihāraof enjoyment with a family
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.13

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

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

Is an unfulfilled desire tempting me to seek something dishonestly?

Practice

Identify one nonessential desire and choose not to borrow money or deceive anyone to fulfill it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnsatisfied Desires Undermine PeaceThis 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 5.13.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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