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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.3.8

Who is speaking and story frame

आत्मन एवानुसवनमञ्जसाव्यतिरेकेण बोभूयमानाशेषपुरुषार्थस्वरूपस्य किन्तु नाथाशिष आशासानानामेतदभिसंराधनमात्रं भवितुमर्हति ॥ ८ ॥

ātmana evānusavanam añjasāvyatirekeṇa bobhūyamānāśeṣa-puruṣārtha-svarūpasya kintu nāthāśiṣa āśāsānānām etad abhisaṁrādhana-mātraṁ bhavitum arhati.

Translation

All of life’s goals and opulences are directly, self-sufficiently, unceasingly and unlimitedly increasing in You at every moment. Indeed, You are unlimited enjoyment and blissful existence itself. As far as we are concerned, O Lord, we are always after material enjoyment. You do not need all these sacrificial arrangements, but they are meant for us so that we may be benedicted by Your Lordship. All these sacrifices are performed for our fruitive results, and they are not actually needed by You.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Service Benefits Us, Not the Self-Sufficient Lord

  1. 1

    The Supreme Lord is self-sufficient and does not need huge sacrifices or gorgeous temples. Activities aimed at material opulence serve the desires of those who perform them.

  2. 2

    Work should be done to satisfy the Supreme Lord; otherwise it binds us in material activity. Using our resources in His service benefits us by freeing us from the reactions of our endeavors.

  3. 3

    When we attempt to do something nice for the Lord, He is pleased and gives His blessings. Those blessings can purify our consciousness and make us eligible to return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Being self-sufficient, the Supreme Lord does not need huge sacrifices.
  • We may construct a gorgeous temple and spend thousands of dollars, but such a temple is not required by the Lord.
  • The Lord has many millions of temples for His residence, and He does not need our attempt.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ātmanaḥself-sufficiently
  2. evacertainly
  3. anusavanamat every moment
  4. añjasādirectly
  5. avyatirekeṇawithout stopping
  6. bobhūyamānaincreasing
  7. aśeṣaunlimitedly
  8. puruṣa-arthathe goals of life
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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 5.3

    In this verse: “material”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 5.3

    In this verse: “blessings”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.3

    In this verse: “purify”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I using my resources to seek material rewards or to satisfy the Lord?

Practice

Use a small amount of your time or money today for the Lord’s service, remembering that He is already complete.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayService Benefits Us, Not the Self-Sufficient 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 5.3.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.