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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.
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Canto 5 · Chapter 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
5.20.105.20.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.11

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद्वर्षपुरुषा: श्रुतधरवीर्यधरवसुन्धरेषन्धरसंज्ञा भगवन्तं वेदमयं सोममात्मानं वेदेन यजन्ते ॥ ११ ॥

tad-varṣa-puruṣāḥ śrutadhara-vīryadhara-vasundhareṣandhara-saṁjñā bhagavantaṁ vedamayaṁ somam ātmānaṁ vedena yajante.

Translation

Strictly following the cult of varṇāśrama-dharma, the inhabitants of those islands, who are known as Śrutidharas, Vīryadharas, Vasundharas and Iṣandharas, all worship the expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead named Soma, the moon-god.

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.

Regulated Duties Joined With Worship

  1. 1

    The inhabitants are known as Śrutidharas, Vīryadharas, Vasundharas and Iṣandharas.

  2. 2

    They strictly follow the cult of varṇāśrama-dharma. Their worship accompanies this disciplined way of life.

  3. 3

    They all worship Soma, the moon-god, who is described here as an expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The inhabitants of this island worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the form of Candrātmā. The third island, which is surrounded by an ocean of clarified butter and is also divided into seven regions, is called Kuśadvīpa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.20
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tat-varṣa-puruṣāḥthe residents of those tracts of land
  2. śrutadharaŚrutadhara
  3. vīryadharaVīryadhara
  4. vasundharaVasundhara
  5. iṣandharaIṣandhara
  6. saṁjñāḥknown as
  7. bhagavantamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  8. veda-mayamfully conversant with the Vedic knowledge
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “worship”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “varṇāśrama-dharma”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I give worship a steady place alongside my daily duties?

Practice

Set a specific time for worship today rather than leaving it until your other tasks are finished.

Live this todayRegulated Duties Joined With WorshipThis 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.

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