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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 15: The Glories of the Descendants of King Priyavrata
5.15.85.15.10

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.15.9

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.15.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

गयं नृप: क: प्रतियाति कर्मभि-र्यज्वाभिमानी बहुविद्धर्मगोप्ता । समागतश्री: सदसस्पति: सतांसत्सेवकोऽन्यो भगवत्कलामृते ॥ ९ ॥

gayaṁ nṛpaḥ kaḥ pratiyāti karmabhir

yajvābhimānī bahuvid dharma-goptā

samāgata-śrīḥ sadasas-patiḥ satāṁ

sat-sevako ’nyo bhagavat-kalām ṛte

Translation

The great King Gaya used to perform all kinds of Vedic rituals. He was highly intelligent and expert in studying all the Vedic literatures. He maintained the religious principles and possessed all kinds of opulence. He was a leader among gentlemen and a servant of the devotees. He was a totally qualified plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore who could equal him in the performance of gigantic ritualistic ceremonies?

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Greatness Includes Serving the Devotees

  1. 1

    King Gaya performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and was highly intelligent and expert in studying Vedic literature.

  2. 2

    He maintained religious principles and possessed all kinds of opulence. Although a leader among gentlemen, he was also a servant of the devotees.

  3. 3

    Gaya was a fully qualified plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The verse praises his unequaled performance of great ritualistic ceremonies.

How it feels

Smallness → Awe and reverence. A vast cosmos changes the reader's perspective.

Chapters 15–25 of Canto 5: The cosmic regions and divine worship. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 15: The Glories of the Descendants of King Priyavrata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Actually King Gaya was a partial incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu, and because of his great devotion to Lord Viṣṇu he received the title Mahāpuruṣa. King Gaya had sons named Citraratha, Sumati and Avarodhana.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. gayamKing Gaya
  2. nṛpaḥking
  3. kaḥwho
  4. pratiyātiis a match for
  5. karmabhiḥby his execution of ritualistic ceremonies
  6. yajvāwho performed all sacrifices
  7. abhimānīso widely respected all over the world
  8. bahu-vitfully aware of the conclusion of Vedic literature
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.15

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.15

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.15

    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

How does Gaya’s willingness to serve devotees shape my understanding of greatness?

Practice

Offer one small, practical help to a devotee today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGreatness Includes Serving the DevoteesThis 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 5.15.9? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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