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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.
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Canto 7 · Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
7.15.157.15.17

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.16

Mukti· Liberation
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

सन्तुष्टस्य निरीहस्य स्वात्मारामस्य यत्सुखम् ।

कुतस्तत्कामलोभेन धावतोऽर्थेहया दिश: ॥ १६ ॥

santuṣṭasya nirīhasya

svātmārāmasya yat sukham

kutas tat kāma-lobhena

dhāvato ’rthehayā diśaḥ

Translation

One who is content and satisfied and who links his activities with the Supreme Personality of Godhead residing in everyone’s heart enjoys transcendental happiness without endeavoring for his livelihood. Where is such happiness for a materialistic man who is impelled by lust and greed and who therefore wanders in all directions with a desire to accumulate wealth?

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.

Contentment Through Connection With the Lord

  1. 1

    A contented person links his activities with the Supreme Personality of Godhead residing in everyone’s heart.

  2. 2

    Such a satisfied person enjoys transcendental happiness without endeavoring for his livelihood.

  3. 3

    A materialistic person driven by lust and greed wanders in all directions to accumulate wealth. Such pursuit does not provide the happiness described here.

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:

One must act according to the religious principles that suit his constitutional position; it is not that everyone must adhere to the same type of religion. A general principle is that a poor man should not unnecessarily endeavor for economic development.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. santuṣṭasyaof one who is fully satisfied in Kṛṣṇa consciousness
  2. nirīhasyawho does not endeavor for his livelihood
  3. svaown
  4. ātma-ārāmasyawho is self-satisfied
  5. yatthat
  6. sukhamhappiness
  7. kutaḥwhere
  8. tatsuch happiness
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “lust”, “wealth”, “materialistic”

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

Are my activities connected with the Lord, or mainly driven by the desire to accumulate more?

Practice

Before one activity today, pause and consciously connect its purpose with service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayContentment Through Connection With 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 7.15.16? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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