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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 4: The Characteristics of Ṛṣabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
5.4.165.4.18

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.4.17

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

द्रव्यदेशकालवय:श्रद्धर्त्विग्विविधोद्देशोपचितै: सर्वैरपि क्रतुभिर्यथोपदेशं शतकृत्व इयाज ॥ १७ ॥

dravya-deśa-kāla-vayaḥ-śraddhartvig-vividhoddeśopacitaiḥ sarvair api kratubhir yathopadeśaṁ śata-kṛtva iyāja.

Translation

Lord Ṛṣabhadeva performed all kinds of sacrifices one hundred times according to the instructions of the Vedic literatures. Thus He satisfied Lord Viṣṇu in every respect. All the rituals were enriched by first-class ingredients. They were executed in holy places according to the proper time by priests who were all young and faithful. In this way Lord Viṣṇu was worshiped, and the prasāda was offered to all the demigods. Thus the functions and festivals were all successful.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Worship Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Master

  1. 1

    Lord Ṛṣabhadeva performed sacrifices according to Vedic instructions and satisfied Lord Viṣṇu. Proper ingredients, places, times and faithful priests made the ceremonies successful.

  2. 2

    Training in Vedic culture, especially devotional service, should begin in childhood. Through devotional service, one can perfect one’s life.

  3. 3

    A Vaiṣṇava respects the demigods in relation to Govinda, not as independent supreme lords. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all others are His servants.

Key points from the purport
  • A Vaiṣṇava does not disrespect the demigods, but on the other hand he is not so foolish that he accepts each and every demigod as the Supreme Lord.
  • The Supreme Lord is master of all demigods; therefore the demigods are His servants.
  • The Vaiṣṇava accepts them as servants of the Supreme Lord, and he worships them directly.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 5.4.17 quotesSB 7.6.1

It is said, kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha.

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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 4: The Characteristics of Ṛṣabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Their characteristics and activities are described in the Eleventh Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam during the talks between Vasudeva and Nārada at Kurukṣetra. To teach the general populace, King Ṛṣabhadeva performed many sacrifices and taught His sons how to rule the citizens.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. dravyathe ingredients for performing yajña
  2. deśathe particular place, a holy place or a temple
  3. kālathe suitable time, such as springtime
  4. vayaḥthe age, especially youth
  5. śraddhāfaith in goodness, not in passion and ignorance
  6. ṛtvikthe priests
  7. vividha-uddeśaworshiping different demigods for different purposes
  8. upacitaiḥenriched by
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.4

    In this verse: “worshiped”, “devotional service”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 5.4

    In this verse: “childhood”

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 worship keep Kṛṣṇa’s position as the supreme master clear?

Practice

Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa, acknowledging Him as the supreme master and asking to serve Him.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

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

The purport quotesSB 7.6.1

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 5.4's connections

Live this todayWorship Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme MasterThis 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 5.4.17? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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