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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 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja
5.8.35.8.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.8.4

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तमुपश्रुत्य सा मृगवधू: प्रकृतिविक्लवा चकितनिरीक्षणा सुतरामपिहरिभयाभिनिवेशव्यग्रहृदया पारिप्लवद‍ृष्टिरगततृषा भयात् सहसैवोच्चक्राम ॥ ४ ॥

tam upaśrutya sā mṛga-vadhūḥ prakṛti-viklavā cakita-nirīkṣaṇā sutarām api hari-bhayābhiniveśa-vyagra-hṛdayā pāriplava-dṛṣṭir agata-tṛṣā bhayāt sahasaivoccakrāma.

Translation

By nature the doe was always afraid of being killed by others, and it was always looking about suspiciously. When it heard the lion’s tumultuous roar, it became very agitated. Looking here and there with disturbed eyes, the doe, although it had not fully satisfied itself by drinking water, suddenly leaped across the river.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Fear Drives the Doe to Flee

  1. 1

    The doe was naturally afraid of being killed and was always looking about suspiciously.

  2. 2

    Hearing the lion’s tumultuous roar, it became very agitated and looked here and there with disturbed eyes.

  3. 3

    Although its thirst was not fully satisfied, it suddenly leaped across the river.

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 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Suddenly there could be heard the thundering roar of a lion, and the deer was so frightened that it immediately gave birth to its calf. It then crossed the river, but died immediately thereafter.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 5.8
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tam upaśrutyahearing that tumultuous sound
  2. sāthat
  3. mṛga-vadhūḥwife of a deer
  4. prakṛti-viklavāby nature always afraid of being killed by others
  5. cakita-nirīkṣaṇāhaving wandering eyes
  6. sutarām apialmost immediately
  7. hariof the lion
  8. bhayaof fear
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 5.8

    In this verse: “heard”, “hearing”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 5.8

    In this verse: “afraid”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does fear affect my attention and my actions?

Practice

Recall one moment of fear today and notice how it affected your attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFear Drives the Doe to FleeThis 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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