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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 6: The Activities of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva
5.6.115.6.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.6.12

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.6.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

अयमवतारो रजसोपप्लुतकैवल्योपशिक्षणार्थ: ॥ १२ ॥

ayam avatāro rajasopapluta-kaivalyopaśikṣaṇārthaḥ.

Translation

In this Age of Kali, people are overwhelmed by the modes of passion and ignorance. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva incarnated Himself to deliver them from the clutches of māyā.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Ṛṣabhadeva’s Instructions to Become Free

  1. 1

    In the Age of Kali, people are overwhelmed by passion and ignorance. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva appeared specifically to deliver fallen souls.

  2. 2

    Serious followers of Ṛṣabhadeva must accept His instructions, not merely claim Him as their original teacher.

  3. 3

    By strictly following His instructions, one can become free from the clutches of māyā and return home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • In the Fifth Chapter of this canto, Ṛṣabhadeva gave His one hundred sons instructions whereby they could become free from the clutches of māyā.
  • If one actually follows Ṛṣabhadeva, he will certainly be delivered from the clutches of māyā and return home, back to Godhead.
  • Lord Ṛṣabhadeva incarnated specifically to deliver these fallen souls.

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 6: The Activities of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Lord Ṛṣabhadeva set forth the principles of religion that can free one from material bondage, and He put an end to all kinds of atheistic activities. On this earth, the place known as Bhārata-varṣa was a very pious land because the Supreme Lord appeared there when He wanted to incarnate.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ayam avatāraḥthis incarnation (Lord Ṛṣabhadeva)
  2. rajasāby the mode of passion
  3. upaplutaoverwhelmed
  4. kaivalya-upaśikṣaṇa-arthaḥto teach people the path of liberation
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.6

    In this verse: “māyā”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 5.6

    In this verse: “free from”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make following the Lord’s instructions more important than outward appearances?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to read an instruction of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva and consider how to follow it.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Ṛṣabhadeva’s Instructions to Become FreeThis 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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