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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 13: The Behavior of a Perfect Person
7.13.257.13.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.13.26

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The saintly brāhmaṇasince 7.13.21inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

तत्रापि दम्पतीनां च सुखायान्यापनुत्तये ।

कर्माणि कुर्वतां द‍ृष्ट्वा निवृत्तोऽस्मि विपर्ययम् ॥ २६ ॥

tatrāpi dam-patīnāṁ ca

sukhāyānyāpanuttaye

karmāṇi kurvatāṁ dṛṣṭvā

nivṛtto ’smi viparyayam

Translation

In this human form of life, men and women unite for the sensual pleasure of sex, but by actual experience we have observed that none of them are happy. Therefore, seeing the contrary results, I have stopped taking part in materialistic activities.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Regulate Life for Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    Seeking happiness through sexual enjoyment can bring disunity and distress instead. Seeing the contrary results, the learned brāhmaṇa withdrew from fruitive activities.

  2. 2

    Vedic marriage allows restricted sexual life so that husband and wife can help one another advance spiritually. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, approves sexual life that follows religious principles.

  3. 3

    Human life requires regulated eating, sleeping, sex and protection from fear. Eating prasāda and engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness help one advance beyond the fearful condition of material existence.

Key points from the purport
  • In animal life, eating, sleeping, sexual enjoyment and fear cannot be regulated, but for human society the plan is that although men, like animals, must be allowed to eat, sleep, enjoy sex and take protection from fear, they must be regulated.
  • Thus the Vedic injunctions for marriage offer a concession to human society, the idea being that a man and woman united in a ritualistic marriage ceremony should help one another advance in spiritual life.
  • A human being should eat prasāda offered to the Deity and should enjoy sex life according to the Vedic injunctions.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 1

The purport of SB 7.13.26 quotesBG 3.13

Yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ: “The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food that is offered first for sacrifice.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Without association with ordinary human society, one should beg alms and always be satisfied in himself. One should be a friend to every living entity and be very peaceful in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tatrathere
  2. apialso
  3. dam-patīnāmof men and women united by marriage
  4. caand
  5. sukhāyafor the sake of pleasure, specifically the pleasure of sex life
  6. anya-apanuttayefor avoiding misery
  7. karmāṇifruitive activities
  8. kurvatāmalways engaged in
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “materialistic”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “distress”

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 could I regulate one daily habit so that it supports my spiritual life?

Practice

At one meal today, eat prasāda—food offered to Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRegulate Life for Spiritual AdvancementThis 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.

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