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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.13.42

Who is speaking and story frame

नाहं निन्दे न च स्तौमि स्वभावविषमं जनम् ।

एतेषां श्रेय आशासे

उतैकात्म्यं महात्मनि ॥ ४२ ॥

nāhaṁ ninde na ca staumi

sva-bhāva-viṣamaṁ janam

eteṣāṁ śreya āśāse

utaikātmyaṁ mahātmani

Translation

Different people are of different mentalities. Therefore it is not my business either to praise them or to blaspheme them. I only desire their welfare, hoping that they will agree to become one with the Supersoul, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Desire Everyone’s Welfare in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness

  1. 1

    People have different mentalities, but the saint does not make it his business to praise or blaspheme them. He desires their ultimate welfare.

  2. 2

    Material qualifications and disqualifications can lead to elevation or degradation within the material world. Neither is the goal of life.

  3. 3

    Through bhakti-yoga, one understands that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the goal of life. A saintly person wants everyone to become free from elevation and degradation and be happy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Key points from the purport
  • As soon as one comes to the platform of bhakti-yoga, one understands fully that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, is the goal of life (vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ).
  • People of different mentalities are sometimes elevated and sometimes degraded, but this is not the goal of life.
  • Therefore a saintly person does not discriminate between that which is supposedly good and supposedly bad; rather, he desires for everyone to be happy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is the ultimate goal of life.

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:

His only concern is to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, and for that purpose he can do anything and everything, without reference to the regulative principles. He is never to be equated with materialistic men, nor is he subject to the judgments of such men.
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. ahamI
  3. nindeblaspheme
  4. nanor
  5. caalso
  6. staumipraise
  7. sva-bhāvawhose nature
  8. viṣamamcontradictory
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

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

    In this verse: “welfare”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.13

    In this verse: “bhakti-yoga”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “understands”

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

Can I wish for someone’s spiritual welfare instead of dwelling on their material faults?

Practice

When a critical thought about someone arises today, offer a brief prayer that they may be happy in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDesire Everyone’s Welfare in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessThis 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 7.13.42? Get an answer from the verses themselves.