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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
5.14.65.14.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.14.7

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 5.13.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

क्‍वचिच्चाशेषदोषनिषदनं पुरीषविशेषं तद्वर्णगुणनिर्मितमति: सुवर्णमुपादित्सत्यग्निकामकातर इवोल्मुकपिशाचम् ॥ ७ ॥

kvacic cāśeṣa-doṣa-niṣadanaṁ purīṣa-viśeṣaṁ tad-varṇa-guṇa-nirmita-matiḥ suvarṇam upāditsaty agni-kāma-kātara ivolmuka-piśācam.

Translation

Sometimes the living entity is interested in the yellow stool known as gold and runs after it. That gold is the source of material opulence and envy, and it can enable one to afford illicit sex, gambling, meat-eating and intoxication. Those whose minds are overcome by the mode of passion are attracted by the color of gold, just as a man suffering from cold in the forest runs after a phosphorescent light in a marshy land, considering it to be fire.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Do Not Follow Gold’s Glitter

  1. 1

    A mind overcome by the mode of passion is attracted to gold’s glitter. The verse compares this attraction to mistaking a marsh light for a warming fire.

  2. 2

    Gold is described as a source of material opulence and envy that enables illicit sex, gambling, meat-eating and intoxication. The purport connects stored gold with all four sinful activities.

  3. 3

    For spiritual life, the purport advises avoiding gold as far as possible. Its attractive appearance conceals the faults associated with pursuing it.

Key points from the purport
  • If there is gold, there is certainly illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication.
  • The color of gold is very glittering, and a materialistic person becomes very much attracted by its yellow color.
  • However, this gold is actually a type of stool.

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:

In this regard, Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, nānā yoni sadā phire: the living entity passes through various species. Kardarya bhakṣaṇa kare: he is obliged to eat and enjoy abominable things.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kvacitsometimes
  2. caalso
  3. aśeṣaunlimited
  4. doṣaof faults
  5. niṣadanamthe source of
  6. purīṣaof stool
  7. viśeṣama particular type
  8. tat-varṇa-guṇawhose color is the same as that of the mode of passion (reddish)
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 5.14

    In this verse: “material”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “suffering”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.14

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

Does the attraction of wealth make me overlook what its pursuit may encourage?

Practice

Today, decline one unnecessary purchase motivated mainly by glitter or a display of wealth.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDo Not Follow Gold’s GlitterThis 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 5.14.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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