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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 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 7 · Chapter 1: The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone
7.1.207.1.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.1.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 7.1.16inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

एतद्भ्राम्यति मे बुद्धिर्दीपार्चिरिव वायुना ।

ब्रूह्येतदद्भ‍ुततमं भगवान्ह्यत्र कारणम् ॥ २१ ॥

etad bhrāmyati me buddhir

dīpārcir iva vāyunā

brūhy etad adbhutatamaṁ

bhagavān hy atra kāraṇam

Translation

This matter is undoubtedly very wonderful. Indeed, my intelligence has become disturbed, just as the flame of a candle is disturbed by a blowing wind. O Nārada Muni, you know everything. Kindly let me know the cause of this wonderful event.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Seek Spiritual Guidance When Perplexed

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s intelligence was disturbed like a candle flame in the wind. He openly asked Nārada Muni to explain the wonderful event.

  2. 2

    The śāstras teach that one who is perplexed by difficult problems of life must approach a guru.

  3. 3

    Such a guru should be like Nārada or his representative in the disciplic succession. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira followed this direction by requesting Nārada’s explanation.

Key points from the purport
  • The śāstras enjoin, tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet: when one is perplexed by the difficult problems of life, to solve them one must approach a guru like Nārada or his representative in the disciplic succession.
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira therefore requested Nārada to explain the cause for such a wonderful event.

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

Pride and rage → Oppression. The ruler's power intensifies his insecurity.

Chapters 1–4 of Canto 7: Hiraṇyakaśipu's ascent and intimidation. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 1: The Supreme Lord Is Equal to Everyone

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Eternal time is created by the Lord, and it acts under His control. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, therefore, is always transcendental to the influence of the modes of nature, māyā, the Lord’s external energy, which acts in creation and annihilation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.1
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etatconcerning this
  2. bhrāmyatiis flickering
  3. memy
  4. buddhiḥintelligence
  5. dīpa-arciḥthe flame of a candle
  6. ivalike
  7. vāyunāby the wind
  8. brūhiplease tell
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.1

    In this verse: “kindly”

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

What spiritual question do I need to bring honestly to a qualified teacher?

Practice

Write down one question you would like to ask a guru or a representative in the disciplic succession.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySeek Spiritual Guidance When PerplexedThis 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 7.1.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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