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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
5.6.125.6.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.6.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.6.9inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तस्यानुगुणान् श्लोकान् गायन्ति—

अहो भुव: सप्तसमुद्रवत्या

द्वीपेषु वर्षेष्वधिपुण्यमेतत् ।

गायन्ति यत्रत्यजना मुरारे:

कर्माणि भद्राण्यवतारवन्ति ॥ १३ ॥

tasyānuguṇān ślokān gāyanti —

aho bhuvaḥ sapta-samudravatyā

dvīpeṣu varṣeṣv adhipuṇyam etat

gāyanti yatratya-janā murāreḥ

karmāṇi bhadrāṇy avatāravanti

Translation

Learned scholars chant about the transcendental qualities of Lord Ṛṣabhadeva in this way: “Oh, this earthly planet contains seven seas and many islands and lands, of which Bhārata-varṣa is considered the most pious. People of Bhārata-varṣa are accustomed to glorifying the activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His incarnations as Lord Ṛṣabhadeva and others. All these activities are very auspicious for the welfare of humanity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Perfect Life Through Devotion and Sharing

  1. 1

    Bhārata-varṣa is praised as a most pious land, where people glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His incarnations.

  2. 2

    Followers of Vedic literature are privileged to glorify the Lord according to its directions. Having understood the value of human life, they should share that understanding for everyone’s benefit.

  3. 3

    One can perfect human life through bhagavad-bhakti, devotional service to the Lord. Spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness serves the welfare of all human society.

Key points from the purport
  • The word adhipuṇyam indicates that there are certainly many other pious men throughout the world but the people of Bhārata-varṣa are even more pious.
  • Throughout the world, there is no question of bhagavad-bhakti or devotional service, but the people of Bhārata-varṣa can easily understand the devotional service of the Lord.
  • Thus every inhabitant of Bhārata-varṣa can perfect his life by discharging bhagavad-bhakti and then preaching this cult throughout the world for the benefit of everyone.

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:

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. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva neglected all the mystic powers for which the so-called yogīs hanker.
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. tasyaof Him (Lord Ṛṣabhadeva)
  2. anuguṇānconforming to the instructions for liberation
  3. ślokānverses
  4. gāyantichant
  5. ahooh
  6. bhuvaḥof this earthly planet
  7. sapta-samudra-vatyāḥpossessing seven seas
  8. dvīpeṣuamong the islands
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 5.6

    In this verse: “chant”, “glorifying”, “glorify”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 5.6

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 5.6

    In this verse: “devotional service”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can what I learn about devotional service become a benefit to someone else?

Practice

Share one teaching from this verse with someone willing to hear it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPerfect Life Through Devotion and SharingThis 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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