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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 20: Studying the Structure of the Universe
5.20.305.20.32

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.20.31

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.20.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तद्‌द्वीपस्याप्यधिपति: प्रैयव्रतो वीतिहोत्रो नामैतस्यात्मजौ रमणकधातकिनामानौ वर्षपती नियुज्य स स्वयं पूर्वजवद्भ‍गवत्कर्मशील एवास्ते ॥ ३१ ॥

tad-dvīpasyāpy adhipatiḥ praiyavrato vītihotro nāmaitasyātmajau ramaṇaka-dhātaki-nāmānau varṣa-patī niyujya sa svayaṁ pūrvajavad-bhagavat-karma-śīla evāste.

Translation

The ruler of this island, the son of Mahārāja Priyavrata named Vītihotra, had two sons named Ramaṇaka and Dhātaki. He granted the two sides of the island to these two sons and then personally engaged himself in activities for the sake of the Supreme Personality of Godhead like his elder brother Medhātithi.

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.

Dedicate Your Activities to the Supreme Lord

  1. 1

    Vītihotra, a son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, ruled this island. His two sons were Ramaṇaka and Dhātaki.

  2. 2

    He granted the island’s two sides to these sons, placing them in charge.

  3. 3

    Like his elder brother Medhātithi, Vītihotra personally engaged in activities for the sake of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His example directs attention toward service to the Lord.

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:

Its master is Vītihotra, another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata. The island is divided in two by a large mountain named Mānasottara.
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-dvīpasyaof that island
  2. apialso
  3. adhipatiḥthe ruler
  4. praiyavrataḥa son of Mahārāja Priyavrata
  5. vītihotraḥ nāmanamed Vītihotra
  6. etasyaof him
  7. ātma-jauunto the two sons
  8. ramaṇakaRamaṇaka
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 5.20

    In this verse: “ruler”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What activity can you consciously do for the sake of the Supreme Personality of Godhead?

Practice

Choose one small act of devotional service today and do it with the intention of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 5.20's connections

Live this todayDedicate Your Activities to the Supreme LordThis 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 5.20.31? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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