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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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
7.14.427.15.2

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.1

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Nārada Munisince 7.15.1inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitNārada Muni → Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira

श्रीनारद उवाच

कर्मनिष्ठा द्विजा: केचित्तपोनिष्ठा नृपापरे ।

स्वाध्यायेऽन्ये प्रवचने केचन ज्ञानयोगयो: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-nārada uvāca

karma-niṣṭhā dvijāḥ kecit

tapo-niṣṭhā nṛpāpare

svādhyāye ’nye pravacane

kecana jñāna-yogayoḥ

Translation

Nārada Muni continued: My dear King, some brāhmaṇas are very much attached to fruitive activities, some are attached to austerities and penances, and still others study the Vedic literature, whereas some, although very few, cultivate knowledge and practice different yogas, especially bhakti-yoga.

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.

Different Pursuits Among Brāhmaṇas

  1. 1

    Some brāhmaṇas are very attached to fruitive activities, while others are attached to austerities and penances.

  2. 2

    Others devote themselves to studying the Vedic literature.

  3. 3

    Very few cultivate knowledge and practice different yogas, especially bhakti-yoga.

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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

And still other brāhmaṇas are interested in different types of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga and jñāna-yoga. Such brāhmaṇas are mostly sannyāsīs, members of the renounced order of life.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śrī-nāradaḥ uvācaNārada Muni said
  2. karma-niṣṭhāḥattached to ritualistic ceremonies (according to one’s social status as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra)
  3. dvi-jāḥthe twice-born (especially the brāhmaṇas)
  4. kecitsome
  5. tapaḥ-niṣṭhāḥvery much attached to austerities and penances
  6. nṛpaO King
  7. apareothers
  8. svādhyāyein studying Vedic literature
3

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 7.15

    In this verse: “bhakti-yoga”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “king”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “knowledge”

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

Which draws my interest most: results, austerity, study, or bhakti-yoga?

Practice

Reread the translation today and reflect for one minute on its mention of bhakti-yoga.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDifferent Pursuits Among BrāhmaṇasThis 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 7.15.1? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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