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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
7.15.177.15.19

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.18

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

सन्तुष्ट: केन वा राजन्न वर्तेतापि वारिणा ।

औपस्थ्यजैह्व्यकार्पण्याद्गृहपालायते जन: ॥ १८ ॥

santuṣṭaḥ kena vā rājan

na vartetāpi vāriṇā

aupasthya-jaihvya-kārpaṇyād

gṛha-pālāyate janaḥ

Translation

My dear King, a self-satisfied person can be happy even with only drinking water. However, one who is driven by the senses, especially by the tongue and genitals, must accept the position of a household dog to satisfy his senses.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember the Supersoul, Not Sensory Demands

  1. 1

    A true brāhmaṇa is always satisfied and does not enter another’s service merely to satisfy the senses. The verse contrasts this freedom with the dependence of a household dog.

  2. 2

    A self-satisfied person can be content even with a little water. The purport explains that such satisfaction is a matter of practice and education in self-realization.

  3. 3

    A devotee finds real satisfaction by feeling the Supersoul’s presence within the heart and thinking of Him constantly. The devotee is therefore not driven by the tongue and genitals.

Key points from the purport
  • According to the śāstras, a brāhmaṇa, or a cultured person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, will not enter anyone’s service to maintain body and soul together, and especially not for satisfaction of the senses.
  • Even if he has nothing to eat, he can drink a little water and be satisfied.
  • A devotee is never driven by the dictations of the tongue and genitals, and thus he is never victimized by the laws of material nature.

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 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

As far as householders are concerned, they engage in different types of scriptural activities, especially in offering oblations to their forefathers and giving as charity to other brāhmaṇas the paraphernalia engaged in such sacrifices. Generally the charity is given to sannyāsīs, brāhmaṇas in 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. santuṣṭaḥa person who is always self-satisfied
  2. kenawhy
  3. vāor
  4. rājanO King
  5. nanot
  6. vartetashould live (happily)
  7. apieven
  8. vāriṇāby drinking water
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “king”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “household”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “devotee”

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

When my senses demand satisfaction, can I turn my attention toward the Supersoul within my heart?

Practice

Before responding to an unnecessary craving today, pause for a moment to remember the Supersoul within your heart.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember the Supersoul, Not Sensory DemandsThis 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 7.15.18? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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