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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
5.13.205.13.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.13.21

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Rahūgaṇasince 5.13.21inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitJaḍa Bharata → King Rahūgaṇa
A turning point forKing Rahūgaṇa· Learning continues

राजोवाच

अहो नृजन्माखिलजन्मशोभनं

किं जन्मभिस्त्वपरैरप्यमुष्मिन् ।

न यद्‌धृषीकेशयश:कृतात्मनां

महात्मनां व: प्रचुर: समागम: ॥ २१ ॥

rājovāca

aho nṛ-janmākhila-janma-śobhanaṁ

kiṁ janmabhis tv aparair apy amuṣmin

na yad dhṛṣīkeśa-yaśaḥ-kṛtātmanāṁ

mahātmanāṁ vaḥ pracuraḥ samāgamaḥ

Translation

King Rahūgaṇa said: This birth as a human being is the best of all. Even birth among the demigods in the heavenly planets is not as glorious as birth as a human being on this earth. What is the use of the exalted position of a demigod? In the heavenly planets, due to profuse material comforts, there is no possibility of associating with devotees.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Treasure Human Birth and Devotee Association

  1. 1

    Human birth is a great opportunity for self-realization. Abundant material comforts, even among the demigods, can keep one bound to material life.

  2. 2

    Anyone sincerely seeking freedom from material bondage must associate with pure devotees. Such association gradually frees one from attachment to money and sexual attraction.

  3. 3

    Resources and relationships can be used in the Lord’s service rather than for material enjoyment. Even a little association with a pure devotee can make one’s journey back to Godhead successful.

Key points from the purport
  • One may take birth in a high planetary system among the demigods, but due to the profusion of material comforts, one cannot gain release from material bondage.
  • By such association, one can gradually become detached from the material attraction of money and women.
  • Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord, and one who can utilize them in this way can become freed from material bondage.

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 5.13.21 quotesSB 3.25.25

Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ. Only in the association of devotees can one relish the glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 13: Further Talks Between King Rahūgaṇa and Jaḍa Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Expecting to become happy, the living entity changes his position from one place to another, but actually a materialistic person within the material world is never happy. Being constantly engaged in materialistic activities, he is always disturbed.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.13
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. rājā uvācaKing Rahūgaṇa said
  2. ahoalas
  3. nṛ-janmayou who have taken birth as a human being
  4. akhila-janma-śobhanamthe best of all species of life
  5. kimwhat need
  6. janmabhiḥwith births in a higher species like the demigods in the heavenly planets
  7. tubut
  8. aparaiḥnot superior
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.13

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.13

    In this verse: “king”

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 value opportunities to associate with devotees more than opportunities for comfort?

Practice

Spend a few minutes today hearing a pure devotee glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 3.25.25

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 5.13's connections

Live this todayTreasure Human Birth and Devotee AssociationThis 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 5.13.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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