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
7.13.317.13.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.13.32

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇasince 7.13.32inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

पश्यामि धनिनां क्लेशं लुब्धानामजितात्मनाम् ।

भयादलब्धनिद्राणां सर्वतोऽभिविशङ्किनाम् ॥ ३२ ॥

paśyāmi dhanināṁ kleśaṁ

lubdhānām ajitātmanām

bhayād alabdha-nidrāṇāṁ

sarvato ’bhiviśaṅkinām

Translation

The brāhmaṇa continued: I am actually seeing how a rich man, who is a victim of his senses, is very greedy to accumulate wealth, and therefore suffers from insomnia due to fear from all sides, despite his wealth and opulence.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Wealth for Kṛṣṇa, Not Enjoyment

  1. 1

    Greedy accumulation brings anxiety about protecting money and making more. A comfortable position has little value when the mind is always disturbed.

  2. 2

    Money that can spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not be rejected as merely material. Accepting things in relation to Kṛṣṇa without personal attachment is proper renunciation.

  3. 3

    Funds collected for spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness must not be used for personal sense gratification. Used for Kṛṣṇa, money becomes a cause of eternal happiness rather than distress.

Key points from the purport
  • As far as our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is concerned, we are getting money naturally, by the grace of God, by selling our literature.
  • This literature is not sold for our sense gratification; to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we need so many things, and Kṛṣṇa is therefore supplying us the requisite money to advance this mission.
  • Therefore, according to the advice of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī Prabhupāda, we should not give up attachment to money that can spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

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 is not at all interested in gratifying the material senses, for he is always deriving pleasure from devotional service to the Lord. He is not very anxious to protect his material body.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. paśyāmiI can practically see
  2. dhanināmof persons who are very rich
  3. kleśamthe miseries
  4. lubdhānāmwho are extremely greedy
  5. ajita-ātmanāmwho are victims of their senses
  6. bhayātbecause of fear
  7. alabdha-nidrāṇāmwho are suffering from insomnia
  8. sarvataḥfrom all sides
  9. abhiviśaṅkināmbeing particularly afraid
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”, “attachment”, “sense gratification”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “fear”

  • 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

Do I see money mainly as a means of personal enjoyment or as something that can serve Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Identify one small way your available resources could help share Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Wealth for Kṛṣṇa, Not EnjoymentThis 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 7.13.32? 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