1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 13: The Behavior of a Perfect Person
7.13.16-177.13.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.13.18

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.13.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

न ते शयानस्य निरुद्यमस्य

ब्रह्मन्नु हार्थो यत एव भोग: ।

अभोगिनोऽयं तव विप्र देह:

पीवा यतस्तद्वद न: क्षमं चेत् ॥ १८ ॥

na te śayānasya nirudyamasya

brahman nu hārtho yata eva bhogaḥ

abhogino ’yaṁ tava vipra dehaḥ

pīvā yatas tad vada naḥ kṣamaṁ cet

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, fully in knowledge of transcendence, you have nothing to do, and therefore you are lying down. It is also understood that you have no money for sense enjoyment. How then has your body become so fat? Under the circumstances, if you do not consider my question impudent, kindly explain how this has happened.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask Puzzling Questions With Respect

  1. 1

    The purport describes those pursuing spiritual advancement as generally eating only once, in the afternoon or evening. This explains why the saint’s stout body surprised Prahlāda Mahārāja.

  2. 2

    A person experienced in self-realization becomes bright-faced. One advanced in self-realization should be considered to possess the body of a brāhmaṇa.

  3. 3

    Prahlāda Mahārāja recognized the saint’s transcendental knowledge but could not understand his bodily condition. He asked for an explanation while allowing that his question might seem impudent.

Key points from the purport
  • Generally those engaged in spiritual advancement take food only once, either in the afternoon or in the evening.
  • The learned sage, however, was quite fat, and therefore Prahlāda Mahārāja was very much surprised.
  • Because the bright-faced saintly person was lying down and not working and yet was quite fat, Prahlāda Mahārāja was puzzled and wanted to question him about this.

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 13: The Behavior of a Perfect Person

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

He should not indulge in unnecessary books or adopt professions like astrology, nor should he try to become a great orator. He should also give up the path of unnecessary argument and should not depend on anyone under any circumstances.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nanot
  2. teof you
  3. śayānasyalying down
  4. nirudyamasyawithout activities
  5. brahmanO saintly person
  6. nuindeed
  7. hait is evident
  8. arthaḥmoney
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 7.13

    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

When something about a spiritual person puzzles me, can I ask without being disrespectful?

Practice

Before asking a sensitive question today, acknowledge that you may not fully understand the situation.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Puzzling Questions With RespectThis 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 7.13.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories