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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 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes
7.11.37.11.5

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.11.4

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

नारायणपरा विप्रा धर्मं गुह्यं परं विदु: ।

करुणा: साधव: शान्तास्त्वद्विधा न तथापरे ॥ ४ ॥

nārāyaṇa-parā viprā

dharmaṁ guhyaṁ paraṁ viduḥ

karuṇāḥ sādhavaḥ śāntās

tvad-vidhā na tathāpare

Translation

No one is superior to you in peaceful life and mercy, and no one knows better than you how to execute devotional service or how to become the best of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore, you know all the principles of confidential religious life, and no one knows them better than you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Learn Through the Disciplic Succession

  1. 1

    Nārada Muni is outstanding in peacefulness, mercy and knowledge of devotional service. He can teach the path of spiritual liberation leading to understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    To learn religious principles and the perfection of life, one must receive instruction through Nārada Muni’s disciplic succession. These teachings passed through Lord Brahmā, Nārada Muni, Vyāsadeva and Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

  3. 3

    The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is based on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā. Strictly following the disciplic succession leads to spiritual liberation, or eternal engagement in devotional service.

Key points from the purport
  • Actually, it is for this purpose that Nārada Muni compiled his Bhakti-sūtra and gave directions in the Nārada-pañcarātra.
  • To learn about religious principles and the perfection of life, one must take instruction from the disciplic succession of Nārada Muni.
  • If we strictly follow the principle of disciplic succession, we are certainly on the right path of spiritual liberation, or eternal engagement in devotional service.

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

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

Further reading

Chapter 11: The Perfect Society: Four Social Classes

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This chapter describes the general principles by following which a human being, and specifically one who is interested in advancing in spiritual life, can become perfect. By hearing about the characteristics of Prahlāda Mahārāja, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira became extremely pleased.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.11
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nārāyaṇa-parāḥthose who are always devoted to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa
  2. viprāḥthe best of the brāhmaṇas
  3. dharmamreligious principle
  4. guhyamthe most confidential
  5. paramsupreme
  6. viduḥknow
  7. karuṇāḥsuch persons are very merciful (being devotees)
  8. sādhavaḥwhose behavior is very exalted
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.11

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understanding”

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

How willing am I to learn devotional service from the disciplic succession rather than my own assumptions?

Practice

Read a short passage from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and note one instruction to follow.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayLearn Through the Disciplic SuccessionThis 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 7.11.4? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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