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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
7.15.257.15.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.26

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

यस्य साक्षाद्भ‍गवति ज्ञानदीपप्रदे गुरौ ।

मर्त्यासद्धी: श्रुतं तस्य सर्वं कुञ्जरशौचवत् ॥ २६ ॥

yasya sākṣād bhagavati

jñāna-dīpa-prade gurau

martyāsad-dhīḥ śrutaṁ tasya

sarvaṁ kuñjara-śaucavat

Translation

The spiritual master should be considered to be directly the Supreme Lord because he gives transcendental knowledge for enlightenment. Consequently, for one who maintains the material conception that the spiritual master is an ordinary human being, everything is frustrated. His enlightenment and his Vedic studies and knowledge are like the bathing of an elephant.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Honor the Spiritual Master’s Transcendental Position

  1. 1

    The spiritual master gives transcendental knowledge and should be honored as being on an equal status with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    Considering the spiritual master an ordinary human being frustrates one’s study and austerities. The purport compares this to an elephant bathing and then covering itself with dust.

  3. 3

    One should strictly follow the spiritual master’s instructions. When the spiritual master is pleased, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased.

Key points from the purport
  • It is recommended that one honor the spiritual master as being on an equal status with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • In spite of all these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed.
  • One should strictly adhere to the instructions of the spiritual master, for if he is pleased, certainly the Supreme Personality of Godhead is pleased.

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:

One should never consider the spiritual master an ordinary human being, even though the members of the spiritual master’s family may think of him as such. Meditation and other processes of austerity are useful only if they help in advancement toward Kṛṣṇa consciousness; otherwise, they are simply a waste of time and labor.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yasyaone who
  2. sākṣātdirectly
  3. bhagavatithe Supreme Personality of Godhead
  4. jñāna-dīpa-pradewho enlightens with the torch of knowledge
  5. gurauunto the spiritual master
  6. martya-asat-dhīḥconsiders the spiritual master to be like an ordinary human being and maintains such an unfavorable attitude
  7. śrutamVedic knowledge
  8. tasyafor him
  9. sarvameverything
  10. kuñjara-śauca-vatlike the bath of an elephant in a lake
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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

Does my attitude toward the spiritual master support or undermine the knowledge I receive?

Practice

Read one instruction from the spiritual master carefully, with attention to following it rather than merely collecting knowledge.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHonor the Spiritual Master’s Transcendental PositionThis 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 7.15.26? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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