1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 7 · The Science of God · 15 chapters

123456789101112131415

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
7.15.277.15.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.28

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

षड्‌‌वर्गसंयमैकान्ता: सर्वा नियमचोदना: ।

तदन्ता यदि नो योगानावहेयु: श्रमावहा: ॥ २८ ॥

ṣaḍ-varga-saṁyamaikāntāḥ

sarvā niyama-codanāḥ

tad-antā yadi no yogān

āvaheyuḥ śramāvahāḥ

Translation

Ritualistic ceremonies, regulative principles, austerities and the practice of yoga are all meant to control the senses and mind, but even after one is able to control the senses and mind, if he does not come to the point of meditation upon the Supreme Lord, all such activities are simply labor in frustration.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Spiritual Discipline Must Lead to the Lord

  1. 1

    Rituals, regulative principles, austerities and yoga are meant to control the senses and mind. Without meditation upon the Supreme Lord, they remain labor in frustration.

  2. 2

    Staunch faith in both the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead brings more than sense control. Through such faith, Vedic knowledge is revealed and one realizes the Lord.

  3. 3

    By serving the spiritual master, one crosses the ocean of ignorance and returns home, back to Godhead. The ultimate goal of yoga is contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The actual fact, however, is that by practicing yoga one must come to the platform of meditating upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • As stated in the scriptures, dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ: a person in meditation achieves the perfection of yoga practice when he can see the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
  • However, by staunch faith in the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one not only controls the senses but also realizes the Supreme Lord.

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:

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. For those who are not devotees, such meditation and austerity cause falldown.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. ṣaṭ-vargathe six elements, namely the five working senses and the mind
  2. saṁyama-ekāntāḥthe ultimate aim of subjugating
  3. sarvāḥall such activities
  4. niyama-codanāḥthe regulative principles further meant for controlling the senses and mind
  5. tat-antāḥthe ultimate goal of such activities
  6. yadiif
  7. nonot
  8. yogānthe positive link with the Supreme
  9. āvaheyuḥdid lead to
  10. śrama-āvahāḥa waste of time and labor
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “principles”

  • 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

Are my spiritual disciplines helping me remember and serve the Supreme Lord?

Practice

During one spiritual practice today, deliberately turn your attention toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead rather than merely completing the activity.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySpiritual Discipline Must Lead to 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 7.15.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories