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
7.13.407.13.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.13.41

Mukti· Liberation
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

क्व‍चित्स्‍नातोऽनुलिप्ताङ्ग: सुवासा: स्रग्व्यलङ्‌कृत: ।

रथेभाश्वैश्चरे

क्व‍ापि दिग्वासा ग्रहवद्विभो ॥ ४१ ॥

kvacit snāto ’nuliptāṅgaḥ

suvāsāḥ sragvy alaṅkṛtaḥ

rathebhāśvaiś care kvāpi

dig-vāsā grahavad vibho

Translation

O my lord, sometimes I bathe myself very nicely, smear sandalwood pulp all over my body, put on a flower garland, and dress in fine garments and ornaments. Then I travel like a king on the back of an elephant or on a chariot or horse. Sometimes, however, I travel naked, like a person haunted by a ghost.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Outward Conditions Can Vary Greatly

  1. 1

    Sometimes the saint bathes nicely, smears sandalwood pulp on his body, and wears flower garlands, fine garments and ornaments.

  2. 2

    At such times he travels like a king, riding on an elephant, a chariot or a horse.

  3. 3

    At other times he travels naked, like a person haunted by a ghost. His description includes both splendid and very bare outward conditions.

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:

Sometimes he accepts severe austerities, and sometimes he accepts material opulence. His only concern is to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, and for that purpose he can do anything and everything, without reference to the regulative principles.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kvacitsometimes
  2. snātaḥbathing very nicely
  3. anulipta-aṅgaḥwith sandalwood pulp smeared all over the body
  4. su-vāsāḥdressing with very nice garments
  5. sragvīdecorated with garlands of flowers
  6. alaṅkṛtaḥbedecked with various types of ornaments
  7. rathaon a chariot
  8. ibhaon an elephant
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “king”

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

What expectations do I have about how a saintly person should look?

Practice

Notice one assumption you make about someone from their clothing, and pause before accepting it as true.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOutward Conditions Can Vary GreatlyThis 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 7.13.41? 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