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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 26: A Description of the Hellish Planets
5.26.285.26.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.26.29

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.26.5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यस्त्विह वै विप्रो राजन्यो वैश्यो वा सोमपीथस्तत्कलत्रं वा सुरां व्रतस्थोऽपि वा पिबति प्रमादतस्तेषां निरयं नीतानामुरसि पदाऽऽक्रम्यास्ये वह्निना द्रवमाणं कार्ष्णायसं निषिञ्चन्ति ॥ २९ ॥

yas tv iha vai vipro rājanyo vaiśyo vā soma-pīthas tat-kalatraṁ vā surāṁ vrata-stho ’pi vā pibati pramādatas teṣāṁ nirayaṁ nītānām urasi padākramyāsye vahninā dravamāṇaṁ kārṣṇāyasaṁ niṣiñcanti.

Translation

Any brāhmaṇa or brāhmaṇa’s wife who drinks liquor is taken by the agents of Yamarāja to the hell known as Ayaḥpāna. This hell also awaits any kṣatriya, vaiśya, or person under a vow who in illusion drinks soma-rasa. In Ayaḥpāna the agents of Yamarāja stand on their chests and pour hot melted iron into their mouths.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Live by Principles, Not Titles

  1. 1

    One should not be a brāhmaṇa in name only while engaging in sinful activities. The purport especially warns against drinking liquor.

  2. 2

    Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas must behave according to the principles of their order. A title cannot replace proper conduct.

  3. 3

    The translation also warns against drinking soma-rasa in the circumstances it names, including while under a vow. It describes punishment in Ayaḥpāna for these violations.

Key points from the purport
  • One should not be a brāhmaṇa in name only and engage in all kinds of sinful activities, especially drinking liquor.
  • Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas must behave according to the principles of their order.
  • If they fall down to the level of śūdras, who are accustomed to drink liquor, they will be punished as described herein.

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

Moral dread → Wakefulness. Consequences of action are rendered emotionally vivid.

Chapter 26 of Canto 5: The hellish planets. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 26: A Description of the Hellish Planets

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

A government official who poorly administers justice, or who punishes an innocent man, is taken by the assistants of Yamarāja to the hell known as Sūkaramukha, where he is mercilessly beaten. God has given advanced consciousness to the human being.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.26
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥanyone who
  2. tubut
  3. ihain this life
  4. vaiindeed
  5. vipraḥa learned brāhmaṇa
  6. rājanyaḥa kṣatriya
  7. vaiśyaḥa vaiśya
  8. vāor
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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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.26

    In this verse: “illusion”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 5.26

    In this verse: “principles”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.26

    In this verse: “sinful”

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

Does my behavior match the principles and commitments I profess?

Practice

Review one commitment you have made and choose one concrete action to keep it today.

Live this todayLive by Principles, Not TitlesThis 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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