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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 2: The Activities of Mahārāja Āgnīdhra
5.2.155.2.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.2.16

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Prince mistakenlysince 5.2.7inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

न त्वां त्यजामि दयितं द्विजदेवदत्तंयस्मिन्मनो द‍ृगपि नो न वियाति लग्नम् । मां चारुश‍ृङ्‌ग्यर्हसि नेतुमनुव्रतं तेचित्तं यत: प्रतिसरन्तु शिवा: सचिव्य: ॥ १६ ॥

na tvāṁ tyajāmi dayitaṁ dvija-deva-dattaṁ

yasmin mano dṛg api no na viyāti lagnam

māṁ cāru-śṛṅgy arhasi netum anuvrataṁ te

cittaṁ yataḥ pratisarantu śivāḥ sacivyaḥ

Translation

Lord Brahmā, who is worshiped by the brāhmaṇas, has very mercifully given you to me, and that is why I have met you. I do not want to give up your company, for my mind and eyes are fixed upon you and cannot be drawn away. O woman with beautiful raised breasts, I am your follower. You may take me wherever you like, and your friends may also follow me.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Unchecked Attachment Leads to Unreserved Surrender

  1. 1

    Āgnīdhra frankly admitted his weakness and his desire to be united with Pūrvacitti. His mind and eyes were fixed upon her.

  2. 2

    He was ready to go anywhere, whether hell or heaven, in her company. The purport describes how absorption in lust can lead to surrender without reservations.

  3. 3

    Śrīla Madhvācārya remarks that one who jokes and talks like a crazy person may say anything and everything. Such words can be meaningless.

Key points from the purport
  • He was attracted to Pūrvacitti, and therefore before she could say “But I have no business with you,” he expressed his desire to be united with her.
  • When one is absorbed in lust and the influence of sex, one surrenders to the feet of a woman without reservations.
  • Śrīla Madhvācārya remarks in this connection that when one engages in joking and talking like a crazy person, one may say anything and everything, but his words will be meaningless.

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

Responsibility → Renunciation. Leadership is set beside the renounced ideal.

Chapters 1–6 of Canto 5: Priyavrata and Ṛṣabhadeva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 2: The Activities of Mahārāja Āgnīdhra

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Understanding his desire, Lord Brahmā sent a celestial girl named Pūrvacitti to Āgnīdhra’s hermitage. After dressing herself very attractively, she presented herself before him with various feminine movements, and Āgnīdhra was naturally attracted to her.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.2
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. tvāmyou
  3. tyajāmiI shall give up
  4. dayitamvery dear
  5. dvija-devaby Lord Brahmā, the demigod worshiped by the brāhmaṇas
  6. dattamgiven
  7. yasminunto whom
  8. manaḥmind
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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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.2

    In this verse: “worshiped”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 5.2

    In this verse: “give up”

  • Sakhya · Sacred friendship

    The affection of companions and friends of the Lord. · Theme in SB 5.2

    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

Could a strong attachment lead me to make promises without considering where they will take me?

Practice

Delay one emotionally charged promise today until you can consider it calmly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUnchecked Attachment Leads to Unreserved SurrenderThis 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 5.2.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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