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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.7.8

Who is speaking and story frame

एवं वर्षायुतसहस्रपर्यन्तावसितकर्मनिर्वाणावसरोऽधिभुज्यमानं स्वतनयेभ्यो रिक्थं पितृपैतामहं यथादायं विभज्य स्वयं सकलसम्पन्निकेतात्स्वनिकेतात् पुलहाश्रमं प्रवव्राज ॥ ८ ॥

evaṁ varṣāyuta-sahasra-paryantāvasita-karma-nirvāṇāvasaro ’dhibhujyamānaṁ sva-tanayebhyo rikthaṁ pitṛ-paitāmahaṁ yathā-dāyaṁ vibhajya svayaṁ sakala-sampan-niketāt sva-niketāt pulahāśramaṁ pravavrāja.

Translation

Destiny fixed the time for Mahārāja Bharata’s enjoyment of material opulence at one thousand times ten thousand years. When that period was finished, he retired from family life and divided the wealth he had received from his forefathers among his sons. He left his paternal home, the reservoir of all opulence, and started for Pulahāśrama, which is situated in Hardwar. The śālagrāma-śilās are obtainable there.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Responsibly Relinquishing Inherited Wealth

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Bharata’s allotted period of enjoying royal opulence was one thousand times ten thousand years.

  2. 2

    According to the law of dāya-bhāk, inherited property must be handed to the next generation. At retirement, Bharata properly divided his ancestral wealth among his sons.

  3. 3

    He then left his opulent paternal home and went to Pulaha-āśrama.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the law of dāya-bhāk, when one inherits an estate he must hand it over to the next generation.
  • First he enjoyed his paternal property for one thousand times ten thousand years.
  • At the time of his retirement, he divided this property among his sons and left for Pulaha-āśrama.

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:

In due course of time, he left home and resided in Hardwar and passed his days in devotional activities. Being ordered by his father, Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, Bharata Mahārāja married Pañcajanī, the daughter of Viśvarūpa.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.7
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. evamthus being always engaged
  2. varṣa-ayuta-sahasraone thousand times ten thousand years
  3. paryantauntil then
  4. avasita-karma-nirvāṇa-avasaraḥMahārāja Bharata who ascertained the moment of the end of his royal opulence
  5. adhibhujyamānambeing enjoyed in this way for that duration
  6. sva-tanayebhyaḥunto his own sons
  7. rikthamthe wealth
  8. pitṛ-paitāmahamwhich he received from his father and forefathers
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 5.7

    In this verse: “wealth”, “material”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does Bharata’s orderly departure teach me about responsibility and attachment to possessions?

Practice

Write down one possession entrusted to you and how you could pass it on responsibly when the time comes.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayResponsibly Relinquishing Inherited WealthThis 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 5.7.8? Get an answer from the verses themselves.