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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 14: The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment
5.14.385.14.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.14.39

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.14.20inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यदिदं योगानुशासनं न वा एतदवरुन्धते यन्न्यस्तदण्डा मुनय उपशमशीला उपरतात्मान: समवगच्छन्ति ॥ ३९ ॥

yad idaṁ yogānuśāsanaṁ na vā etad avarundhate yan nyasta-daṇḍā munaya upaśama-śīlā uparatātmānaḥ samavagacchanti.

Translation

Saintly persons, who are friends to all living entities, have a peaceful consciousness. They have controlled their senses and minds, and they easily attain the path of liberation, the path back to Godhead. Being unfortunate and attached to the miserable material conditions, a materialistic person cannot associate with them.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept the Opportunity for Devotional Association

  1. 1

    Saintly persons are friends to all living entities, peaceful, and in control of their minds and senses. They easily attain the path back to Godhead.

  2. 2

    Association with devotees is the only way out of material misery. Attachment to material conditions can prevent a person from accepting this shelter, even when the opportunity is available.

  3. 3

    By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and guru, one receives the seed of devotional service. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra helps one cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • Nonetheless, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement insists that everyone take to this path by adopting the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.
  • The preachers of Kṛṣṇa consciousness go from door to door to inform people how they can be relieved from the miserable conditions of material life.
  • If one is a little intelligent he can cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness and be freed from the miserable conditions of material life.

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:

When a person loses his intelligence due to attachment to wife and sex, his entire consciousness becomes polluted. He thus only thinks of the association of women.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatwhich
  2. idamthis ultimate abode of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  3. yoga-anuśāsanamonly to be achieved by practicing devotional service
  4. nanot
  5. vāeither
  6. etatthis path of liberation
  7. avarundhateobtain
  8. yattherefore
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 5.14

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”, “attachment”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

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

    In this verse: “friends”

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

Am I accepting the opportunities I have to associate with devotees?

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept the Opportunity for Devotional 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 5.14.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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