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Study a Verse

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

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Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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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 7 · Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes

7.11.2 7.11.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.11.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhirasince 7.11.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

भवान्प्रजापते: साक्षादात्मज: परमेष्ठिन: ।

सुतानां सम्मतो ब्रह्मंस्तपोयोगसमाधिभि: ॥ ३ ॥

bhavān prajāpateḥ sākṣād

ātmajaḥ parameṣṭhinaḥ

sutānāṁ sammato brahmaṁs

tapo-yoga-samādhibhiḥ

Translation

O best of the brāhmaṇas, you are directly the son of Prajāpati [Lord Brahmā]. Because of your austerities, mystic yoga and trance, you are considered the best of all of Lord Brahmā’s sons.

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.

Honor Excellence in Spiritual Practice

1
Nārada Muni is directly the son of Prajāpati, Lord Brahmā.
2
He is addressed as the best of the brāhmaṇas.
3
Because of his austerities, mystic yoga and trance, he is considered the best of Lord Brahmā’s sons.

How it feels

Seriousness → Principled living. The example of bhakti becomes a guide to daily life.

Chapters 11–15 of Canto 7: Teachings on social and spiritual conduct. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

When Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira asked Nārada Muni about these matters, Nārada Muni stopped giving his own statements and quoted statements by Lord Nārāyaṇa, for He is the supreme authority for giving religious codes ( dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam). Every human being is expected to acquire thirty qualities, such as truthfulness, mercy and austerity.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.11