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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
5.4.15.4.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.4.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.4.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्य ह वा इत्थं वर्ष्मणा वरीयसा बृहच्छ्‌लोकेन चौजसा बलेन श्रिया यशसा वीर्यशौर्याभ्यां च पिता ऋषभ इतीदं नाम चकार ॥ २ ॥

tasya ha vā itthaṁ varṣmaṇā varīyasā bṛhac-chlokena caujasā balena śriyā yaśasā vīrya-śauryābhyāṁ ca pitā ṛṣabha itīdaṁ nāma cakāra.

Translation

When the son of Mahārāja Nābhi became visible, He evinced all good qualities described by the great poets — namely, a well-built body with all the symptoms of the Godhead, prowess, strength, beauty, name, fame, influence and enthusiasm. When the father, Mahārāja Nābhi, saw all these qualities, he thought his son to be the best of human beings or the supreme being. Therefore he gave Him the name Ṛṣabha.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ṛṣabha: The Supreme Living Being

  1. 1

    Before accepting someone as God or an incarnation, one must observe the symptoms of God in his body. These symptoms were all present in Mahārāja Nābhi’s extraordinarily powerful son.

  2. 2

    The Lord’s body was well structured, and He displayed all transcendental qualities. He showed great influence and could control His mind and senses.

  3. 3

    Seeing these qualities, Mahārāja Nābhi named his son Ṛṣabha. This name indicates that He was the supreme living being.

Key points from the purport
  • To accept someone as God or an incarnation of God, one must observe the symptoms of God in his body.
  • All the symptoms were found in the body of Mahārāja Nābhi’s extraordinarily powerful son.
  • Consequently He was named Ṛṣabha, which indicates that He was the supreme living being.

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

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

His poise, influence, strength, enthusiasm, bodily luster and other transcendental qualities were beyond compare. The word ṛṣabha refers to the best, or the supreme.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.4
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyaof Him
  2. ha vācertainly
  3. itthamthus
  4. varṣmaṇāby the bodily features
  5. varīyasāmost exalted
  6. bṛhat-ślokenadecorated with all the high qualities described by poets
  7. caalso
  8. ojasāby prowess
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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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “father”

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 does Ṛṣabha’s control of His mind and senses deepen my understanding of His greatness?

Practice

Write down three qualities of Ṛṣabha described here and spend a minute reflecting on them.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayṚṣabha: The Supreme Living BeingThis 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 5.4.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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