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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
7.15.367.15.38-39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.37

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

यै: स्वदेह: स्मृतोऽनात्मा मर्त्यो विट्कृमिभस्मवत् ।

त एनमात्मसात्कृत्वा श्लाघयन्ति ह्यसत्तमा: ॥ ३७ ॥

yaiḥ sva-dehaḥ smṛto ’nātmā

martyo viṭ-kṛmi-bhasmavat

ta enam ātmasāt kṛtvā

ślāghayanti hy asattamāḥ

Translation

Sannyāsīs who first consider that the body is subject to death, when it will be transformed into stool, worms or ashes, but who again give importance to the body and glorify it as the self, are to be considered the greatest rascals.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Know the Soul Beyond the Body

  1. 1

    A sannyāsī should clearly understand that the self is the soul, not the temporary body. Returning to bodily identification contradicts that understanding.

  2. 2

    One who no longer laments or hankers and recognizes all living entities as spirit souls can enter devotional service to the Lord. Merely claiming to be Brahman or Nārāyaṇa without this understanding leads to a fall.

  3. 3

    The purport rejects identifying Brahman or Nārāyaṇa with a material body. Spiritual understanding is not established by bodily wealth, poverty, or social position.

Key points from the purport
  • There are many sannyāsīs in India who stress the importance of the body.
  • But actually the body of a brāhmaṇa is not Brahman.
  • Therefore sannyāsīs who do not know the meaning of Nārāyaṇa, those who regard the body as Brahman or as Nārāyaṇa, are described here as asattamāḥ, the most abominable rascals.

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. yaiḥby sannyāsīs who
  2. sva-dehaḥown body
  3. smṛtaḥconsider
  4. anātmādifferent from the soul
  5. martyaḥsubjected to death
  6. viṭbecoming stool
  7. kṛmiworms
  8. bhasma-vator ashes
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: “wealth”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “glorify”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “death”

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

How often do I judge myself or others mainly by the body or social position?

Practice

When meeting someone today, consciously remember that this person is a spirit soul, not merely a body.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayKnow the Soul Beyond the BodyThis 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 7.15.37? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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