1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 5 · The Creative Impetus · 26 chapters

1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
5.14.445.14.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.14.45

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.14.44inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यज्ञाय धर्मपतये विधिनैपुणाययोगाय साङ्ख्यशिरसे प्रकृतीश्वराय । नारायणाय हरये नम इत्युदारंहास्यन्मृगत्वमपि य: समुदाजहार ॥ ४५ ॥

yajñāya dharma-pataye vidhi-naipuṇāya

yogāya sāṅkhya-śirase prakṛtīśvarāya

nārāyaṇāya haraye nama ity udāraṁ

hāsyan mṛgatvam api yaḥ samudājahāra

Translation

Even though in the body of a deer, Mahārāja Bharata did not forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore when he was giving up the body of a deer, he loudly uttered the following prayer: “The Supreme Personality of Godhead is sacrifice personified. He gives the results of ritualistic activity. He is the protector of religious systems, the personification of mystic yoga, the source of all knowledge, the controller of the entire creation, and the Supersoul in every living entity. He is beautiful and attractive. I am quitting this body offering obeisances unto Him and hoping that I may perpetually engage in His transcendental loving service.” Uttering this, Mahārāja Bharata left his body.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Lord and Seek His Service

  1. 1

    Whatever path of spiritual realization we accept, the ultimate goal is Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Living entities are eternally connected with Him through devotional service.

  2. 2

    The perfection of life is to remember Nārāyaṇa at the time of death. Even in a deer’s body, Mahārāja Bharata remembered Him and prayed to remain engaged in His transcendental loving service.

  3. 3

    Bharata next took birth in a brāhmaṇa family and remained perfectly Kṛṣṇa conscious. The purpose of yoga is to connect with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, not to display material perfections.

Key points from the purport
  • Although Bharata Mahārāja had to accept the body of a deer, he could remember Nārāyaṇa at the time of death.
  • Although Mahārāja Bharata appeared in the royal family, he became neglectful and took birth as a deer.
  • Because he was very cautious within his deer body, he took birth in a brāhmaṇa family as Jaḍa Bharata.

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 5.14.45 quotesBG 6.41

This confirms the statement of Bhagavad-gītā (6.41), śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo ’bhijāyate: “One who falls from the path of self-realization takes birth in a family of brāhmaṇas or wealthy aristocrats.”

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 14: The Material World as the Great Forest of Enjoyment

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Thus they are like monkeys in the forest. Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī thus explains the material forest and its difficult path to Mahārāja Parīkṣit.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yajñāyaunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who enjoys the results of all great sacrifices
  2. dharma-patayeunto the master or propounder of religious principles
  3. vidhi-naipuṇāyawho gives the devotee the intelligence to follow the regulative principles expertly
  4. yogāyathe personification of mystic yoga
  5. sāṅkhya-śirasewho taught the Sāṅkhya philosophy or who actually gives knowledge of Sāṅkhya to the people of the world
  6. prakṛti-īśvarāyathe supreme controller of this cosmic manifestation
  7. nārāyaṇāyathe resting place of the innumerable living entities ( nara means the living entities, and ayana means the shelter)
  8. harayeunto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, known as Hari
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “religious”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “protector”

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 can Bharata’s prayer help me place loving service above the desire for material achievements?

Practice

Today, pause to offer obeisances to the Supreme Personality of Godhead and pray for continued engagement in His loving service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember the Lord and Seek His ServiceThis 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 5.14.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories