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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

5.8.5 5.8.7

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 5.8.6

Nirodha· Winding up

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Śukadeva Gosvāmīsince 5.8.1inside 2 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King Parīkṣit

तत्प्रसवोत्सर्पणभयखेदातुरा स्वगणेन वियुज्यमाना कस्याञ्चिद्दर्यां कृष्णसारसती निपपाताथ च ममार ॥ ६ ॥

tat-prasavotsarpaṇa-bhaya-khedāturā sva-gaṇena viyujyamānā kasyāñcid daryāṁ kṛṣṇa-sārasatī nipapātātha ca mamāra.

Translation

Being separated from its flock and distressed by its miscarriage, the black doe, having crossed the river, was very much distressed. Indeed, it fell down in a cave and died immediately.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

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

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Doe Dies in Distress

1
The black doe had become separated from its flock.
2
After crossing the river, it was deeply distressed by its miscarriage.
3
It fell down in a cave and died immediately.

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

Chapter 8: A Description of the Character of Bharata Mahārāja

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

It then crossed the river, but died immediately thereafter. Mahārāja Bharata took compassion upon the motherless calf, rescued it from the water, took it to his āśrama and cared for it affectionately.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 5.8

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tat-prasavafrom untimely discharge of that (baby deer)
utsarpaṇafrom jumping across the river
bhayaand from fear
khedaby exhaustion
āturāafflicted
sva-gaṇenafrom the flock of deer
viyujyamānābeing separated
kasyāñcitin some

Key ideas in this verse

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

Nirodha · Returning home, back to Godhead
What happens when everything here comes to an end? · Subject 8 of 10
Karuṇā · Compassion
Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 5.8
In this verse: “distressed”
Viraha · Longing in separation
Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 5.8
In this verse: “separated”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does the doe’s suffering deepen my awareness of the vulnerability of living beings?

Practice

Pause for a minute today to reflect gently on the doe’s separation, distress and death.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Doe Dies in DistressThis 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 5.8.6? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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