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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 3: Ṛṣabhadeva’s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevī, the Wife of King Nābhi
5.3.65.3.8

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.3.7

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The priestssince 5.3.4-5inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अथानयापि न भवत इज्ययोरुभारभरया समुचितमर्थमिहोपलभामहे ॥ ७ ॥

athānayāpi na bhavata ijyayoru-bhāra-bharayā samucitam artham ihopalabhāmahe.

Translation

We have engaged in Your worship with many things and have offered sacrifices unto You, but we think that there is no need for so many arrangements to please Your Lordship.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Matters More Than Elaborate Arrangements

  1. 1

    A large sacrifice may include many offerings, but without devotion, attachment or love for the Lord, the arrangement is useless.

  2. 2

    The Lord is complete in Himself and needs nothing from us. Still, He accepts simple offerings made in devotion.

  3. 3

    Bhakti, devotional service, is the main way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The priests regretted thinking that their elaborate sacrifice lacked such devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • In a big sacrificial ceremony there may be many things accumulated to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if there is no devotion, attachment or love for the Lord, the arrangement is useless.
  • Bhakti, devotional service, is the main way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • The priests were regretful, thinking that they were not on the path of devotional service and that their sacrifice was not pleasing to the Lord.

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 3: Ṛṣabhadeva’s Appearance in the Womb of Merudevī, the Wife of King Nābhi

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He performed many sacrifices along with his wife and worshiped Lord Viṣṇu, master of all sacrifices. Being very kind to His devotees, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was very pleased with the austerities of Mahārāja Nābhi.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.3
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. athaotherwise
  2. anayāthis
  3. apieven
  4. nanot
  5. bhavataḥof Your exalted personality
  6. ijyayāby performance of sacrifice
  7. urubhāra-bharayāencumbered by much paraphernalia
  8. samucitamrequired
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.3

    In this verse: “worship”, “devotional service”, “bhakti”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.3

    In this verse: “attachment”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 5.3

    In this verse: “love”

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 outward preparation be distracting me from loving service?

Practice

During one act of worship today, give your attention to pleasing the Lord rather than making the arrangement impressive.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Matters More Than Elaborate ArrangementsThis 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 5.3.7? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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