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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

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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 14: Ideal Family Life

7.14.17 7.14.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.18

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.14.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

तस्माद् ब्राह्मणदेवेषु मर्त्यादिषु यथार्हत: ।

तैस्तै: कामैर्यजस्वैनं क्षेत्रज्ञं ब्राह्मणाननु ॥ १८ ॥

tasmād brāhmaṇa-deveṣu

martyādiṣu yathārhataḥ

tais taiḥ kāmair yajasvainaṁ

kṣetra-jñaṁ brāhmaṇān anu

Translation

Therefore, my dear King, first offer prasāda unto the brāhmaṇas and the demigods, and after sumptuously feeding them you may distribute prasāda to other living entities according to your ability. In this way you will be able to worship all living entities — or, in other words, the supreme living entity within every living entity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor the Lord Through Prasāda Distribution

1
Prasāda should first be offered to the brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas, for the brāhmaṇas represent the demigods. It should then be distributed to other living entities according to one’s ability.
2
The described order of distribution gives attention to children, old men, women and domestic animals. In this way, the Supreme Personality of Godhead within everyone’s heart is worshiped.
3
Nārāyaṇa is present in every heart, but this does not mean that every living entity has become Nārāyaṇa. The Lord remains distinct from those within whom He resides.

Key points from the purport

To distribute prasāda to all living entities, the process is that we must first offer prasāda to the brāhmaṇas and the Vaiṣṇavas, for the demigods are represented by the brāhmaṇas.
In this way the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is situated in everyone’s heart, will be worshiped.
Whenever there is a ceremony for distribution of prasāda, the prasāda is offered first to the brāhmaṇas, then to the children and old men, then to the women, and then to animals like dogs and other domestic animals.

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

Chapter 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

Whatever a gṛhastha may possess he should equally distribute to all living entities, without discrimination. The best process is to distribute prasāda.

Read the whole chapter summary Back to this verse in chapter 7.14

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

tasmāttherefore
brāhmaṇa-deveṣuthrough the brāhmaṇas and the demigods
martya-ādiṣuthrough ordinary human beings and other living entities
yathā-arhataḥaccording to your ability
taiḥ taiḥwith all those
kāmaiḥvarious objects of enjoyment such as sumptuous food, flower garlands, sandalwood paste, etc.
yajasvayou should worship
enamthis

Key ideas in this verse

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

Manvantara · The change of Manus
What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.14
In this verse: “worship”, “worshiped”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.14
In this verse: “king”
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 7.14
In this verse: “children”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How does remembering the Lord in every heart affect my willingness to share prasāda?

Practice

Share some prasāda with someone today, remembering the Supreme Lord within their heart.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Lord Through Prasāda DistributionThis 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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