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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 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets
5.24.255.24.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.24.26

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Bali Mahārājasince 5.24.26inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्य महानुभावस्यानुपथममृजितकषाय: को वास्मद्विध: परिहीणभगवदनुग्रह उपजिगमिषतीति ॥ २६ ॥

tasya mahānubhāvasyānupatham amṛjita-kaṣāyaḥ ko vāsmad-vidhaḥ parihīṇa-bhagavad-anugraha upajigamiṣatīti.

Translation

Bali Mahārāja said: Persons like us, who are still attached to material enjoyment, who are contaminated by the modes of material nature and who lack the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, cannot follow the supreme path of Prahlāda Mahārāja, the exalted devotee of the Lord.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Great Devotees with Sincere Humility

  1. 1

    The path of bhakti is not difficult when we follow previous ācāryas and authorities. Strong contamination by the modes of material nature prevents one from following them.

  2. 2

    Bali Mahārāja was actually following Prahlāda Mahārāja’s path, yet his great humility made him think that he was not.

  3. 3

    Advanced Vaiṣṇavas sincerely consider themselves ordinary human beings. Their humility is not an artificial display.

Key points from the purport
  • It is said that for spiritual realization one must follow great personalities like Lord Brahmā, Devarṣi Nārada, Lord Śiva and Prahlāda Mahārāja.
  • The path of bhakti is not at all difficult if we follow in the footsteps of previous ācāryas and authorities, but those who are too materially contaminated by the modes of material nature cannot follow them.
  • Although Bali Mahārāja was actually following the path of his grandfather, because of his great humility he thought that he was not.

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

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 24: The Subterranean Heavenly Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When the Supreme Personality of Godhead offers a devotee material happiness, this is not His real favor. The demigods, who are very puffed up by their material opulence, pray to the Lord only for material happiness, not knowing anything better.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.24
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Prahlāda Mahārāja
  2. mahā-anubhāvasyawho was an exalted devotee
  3. anupathamthe path
  4. amṛjita-kaṣāyaḥa person who is materially contaminated
  5. kaḥwhat
  6. vāor
  7. asmat-vidhaḥlike us
  8. parihīṇa-bhagavat-anugrahaḥbeing without the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
  9. upajigamiṣatidesires to follow
  10. itithus
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 5.24

    In this verse: “attached”, “material”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “devotee”, “bhakti”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.24

    In this verse: “contaminated”, “contamination”

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 can I follow the great devotees without imagining myself spiritually exalted?

Practice

Identify one attachment that makes following devotional instruction difficult, and make one small effort to set it aside today.

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 5.24's connections

Live this todayFollow Great Devotees with Sincere HumilityThis 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 5.24.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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