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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 14: Ideal Family Life
7.14.397.14.41

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.14.40

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.14.27-28inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

ततोऽर्चायां हरिं केचित् संश्रद्धाय सपर्यया ।

उपासत उपास्तापि नार्थदा पुरुषद्विषाम् ॥ ४० ॥

tato ’rcāyāṁ hariṁ kecit

saṁśraddhāya saparyayā

upāsata upāstāpi

nārthadā puruṣa-dviṣām

Translation

Sometimes a neophyte devotee offers all the paraphernalia for worshiping the Lord, and he factually worships the Lord as the Deity, but because he is envious of the authorized devotees of Lord Viṣṇu, the Lord is never satisfied with his devotional service.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Envy Prevents Worship From Pleasing the Lord

  1. 1

    A beginner may worship the Lord as the Deity with faith and all the required offerings. Yet the Lord is not satisfied if that devotee envies His authorized devotees.

  2. 2

    Deity worship is especially meant to purify beginners, but preaching the Lord’s glories is more important. One who wants recognition from the Supreme Personality of Godhead should preach His glories.

  3. 3

    Those who worship the Deity must be extremely respectful to preachers. Without this respect, Deity worship alone keeps one in the lower stage of devotion.

Key points from the purport
  • Deity worship is especially meant for purifying the neophyte devotees.
  • In Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) it is said, na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ: if one wants to be recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he must preach the glories of the Lord.
  • One who worships the Deity must therefore be extremely respectful to preachers; otherwise simply worshiping the Deity will keep one in the lower stage of devotion.

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 7.14.40 quotesBG 18.69

In Bhagavad-gītā (18.69) it is said, na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ: if one wants to be recognized by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he must preach the glories of the Lord.

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 14: Ideal Family Life

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As it is said in the Bhagavad-gītā (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.” The gṛhastha should also visit the holy places of pilgrimage mentioned in the Purāṇas.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.14
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tataḥthereafter
  2. arcāyāmthe Deity
  3. harimwho is the Supreme Personality of Godhead (the form of the Lord being identical with the Lord)
  4. kecitsomeone
  5. saṁśraddhāyawith great faith
  6. saparyayāand with the required paraphernalia
  7. upāsateworships
  8. upāstā apialthough worshiping the Deity (with faith and regularity)
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”, “worshiping”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 7.14

    In this verse: “purify”

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 sincerely respect those who preach the Lord’s glories, or do I allow envy to interfere?

Practice

Offer one sincere expression of appreciation to someone who shares the Lord’s glories.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayEnvy Prevents Worship From Pleasing the LordThis 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 7.14.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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