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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
7.15.187.15.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.19

Ūti· What drives us to act
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

असन्तुष्टस्य विप्रस्य तेजो विद्या तपो यश: ।

स्रवन्तीन्द्रियलौल्येन ज्ञानं चैवावकीर्यते ॥ १९ ॥

asantuṣṭasya viprasya

tejo vidyā tapo yaśaḥ

sravantīndriya-laulyena

jñānaṁ caivāvakīryate

Translation

Because of greed for the sake of the senses, the spiritual strength, education, austerity and reputation of a devotee or brāhmaṇa who is not self-satisfied dwindle, and his knowledge gradually vanishes.

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.

Sense Greed Weakens Spiritual Life

  1. 1

    A devotee or brāhmaṇa who lacks self-satisfaction becomes vulnerable to greed for the senses.

  2. 2

    Because of this greed, spiritual strength, education, austerity and reputation dwindle.

  3. 3

    Knowledge also gradually vanishes. The verse warns that dissatisfaction can erode spiritual development.

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 conquer lusty desires, anger, greed, fear, lamentation, illusion, fright, unnecessary talks on material subjects, violence, the four miseries of material existence, and the three material qualities. That is the objective of human 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. asantuṣṭasyaof one who is not self-satisfied
  2. viprasyaof such a brāhmaṇa
  3. tejaḥstrength
  4. vidyāeducation
  5. tapaḥausterity
  6. yaśaḥfame
  7. sravantidwindle
  8. indriyaof the senses
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 7.15

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • 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

Is any desire for sense enjoyment weakening my spiritual study or discipline?

Practice

Identify one unnecessary sensory indulgence and set it aside today to protect your spiritual discipline.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySense Greed Weakens Spiritual LifeThis 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 7.15.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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