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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 14: The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment
5.14.365.14.38

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.14.37

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.14.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

एवं वित्तव्यतिषङ्गविवृद्धवैरानुबन्धोऽपि पूर्ववासनया मिथ

उद्वहत्यथापवहति ॥ ३७ ॥

evaṁ vitta-vyatiṣaṅga-vivṛddha-vairānubandho ’pi pūrva-vāsanayā mitha udvahaty athāpavahati.

Translation

Although people may be enemies, in order to fulfill their desires again and again, they sometimes get married. Unfortunately, these marriages do not last very long, and the people involved are separated again by divorce or other means.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cheating and Envy Undermine Lasting Unity

  1. 1

    People may unite in marriage to fulfill their desires even when enmity exists between them. Such unions can end in divorce or other forms of separation.

  2. 2

    The propensity to cheat keeps envy alive, and temporary friendship can turn into conflict over money. Unity based on material desires is not permanent.

  3. 3

    Even in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, separation and enmity can arise when material propensities become prominent. Spiritual association does not justify neglecting these tendencies in oneself.

Key points from the purport
  • As stated previously, every conditioned soul has the propensity to cheat, even in marriage.
  • For the time being, people may remain friends, but eventually they become enemies again and fight over money.
  • Sometimes they marry and then separate by divorce or other means.

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 14: The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Sometimes, being in need of money, the conditioned soul steals and cheats, although he may apparently be associated with devotees for spiritual advancement. His only business is getting out of the clutches of māyā, but due to improper guidance he becomes more and more entangled in material dealings.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamin this way
  2. vitta-vyatiṣaṅgabecause of monetary transactions
  3. vivṛddhaincreased
  4. vaira-anubandhaḥhaving relationships of enmity
  5. apialthough
  6. pūrva-vāsanayāby the fructifying results of previous impious activities
  7. mithaḥwith each other
  8. udvahatibecome united by means of the marriage of sons and daughters
  9. athathereafter
  10. apavahatithey give up the marriage or get a divorce
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

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “separated”, “separation”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “material”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “friendship”

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

Where might envy or a desire for personal gain be weakening one of my relationships?

Practice

Notice one envious or self-serving impulse in an interaction today, and choose not to act on it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCheating and Envy Undermine Lasting UnityThis 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 5.14.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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