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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 7: The Activities of King Bharata
5.7.95.7.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.7.10

Sthāna· The universe in order
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.7.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

यत्राश्रमपदान्युभयतोनाभिभिर्दृषच्चक्रैश्चक्रनदी नाम सरित्प्रवरा सर्वत: पवित्रीकरोति ॥ १० ॥

yatrāśrama-padāny ubhayato nābhibhir dṛṣac-cakraiś cakra-nadī nāma sarit-pravarā sarvataḥ pavitrī-karoti.

Translation

In Pulaha-āśrama is the Gaṇḍakī River, which is the best of all rivers. The śālagrāma-śilā, the marble pebbles, purify all those places. On each and every marble pebble, up and down, circles like navels are visible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Gaṇḍakī River Sanctifies Its Surroundings

  1. 1

    The Gaṇḍakī River flows in Pulaha-āśrama and is described as the best of rivers.

  2. 2

    Śālagrāma-śilās are found in this river. They appear like stone pebbles with circles resembling navels marked above and below.

  3. 3

    The śālagrāma-śilās purify these places. Wherever the river’s waters flow, the place becomes immediately sanctified.

Key points from the purport
  • Śālagrāma-śilā refers to pebbles that appear like stones with circles marked up and down.
  • These are available in the river known as Gaṇḍakī-nadī.
  • Wherever the waters of this river flow, the place becomes immediately sanctified.

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

Compassion and attachment → Regret and vigilance. Affection becomes binding when it displaces devotion.

Chapters 7–9 of Canto 5: Bharata, the deer and the birth of Jaḍa Bharata. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 7: The Activities of King Bharata

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He then left home and went to the place of Pulaha known as Pulahāśrama. There he ate forest vegetables and fruits, and worshiped Lord Vāsudeva with everything available.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.7
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yatrawhere
  2. āśrama-padāniall hermitages
  3. ubhayataḥboth on top and below
  4. nābhibhiḥlike the symbolic mark of a navel
  5. dṛṣatvisible
  6. cakraiḥwith the circles
  7. cakra-nadīthe Cakranadī River (generally known as the Gaṇḍakī)
  8. nāmaof the name
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Sthāna · Planetary systems

    How is the universe arranged, and what is our right place in it? · Subject 3 of 10

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 5.7

    In this verse: “purify”

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

Which details help me appreciate the sanctity of the Gaṇḍakī River?

Practice

Reread the translation and note where śālagrāma-śilās are found and how they are described.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Gaṇḍakī River Sanctifies Its SurroundingsThis 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 5.7.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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