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
7.15.43-447.15.46

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.45

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

यावन्नृकायरथमात्मवशोपकल्पं

धत्ते गरिष्ठचरणार्चनया निशातम् ।

ज्ञानासिमच्युतबलो दधदस्तशत्रु:

स्वानन्दतुष्ट उपशान्त इदं विजह्यात् ॥ ४५ ॥

yāvan nṛ-kāya-ratham ātma-vaśopakalpaṁ

dhatte gariṣṭha-caraṇārcanayā niśātam

jñānāsim acyuta-balo dadhad asta-śatruḥ

svānanda-tuṣṭa upaśānta idaṁ vijahyāt

Translation

As long as one has to accept a material body, with its different parts and paraphernalia, which are not fully under one’s control, one must have the lotus feet of his superiors, namely his spiritual master and the spiritual master’s predecessors. By their mercy, one can sharpen the sword of knowledge, and with the power of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s mercy one must then conquer the enemies mentioned above. In this way, the devotee should be able to merge into his own transcendental bliss, and then he may give up his body and resume his spiritual identity.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sharpen Knowledge Through Service and Mercy

  1. 1

    The human body is a valuable boat, the spiritual master is its captain, and Kṛṣṇa’s instructions are a favorable breeze. These facilities should be used to cross the ocean of ignorance and return home, back to Godhead.

  2. 2

    Knowledge alone is insufficient: its sword must be sharpened by serving the spiritual master and following his instructions. By pleasing the spiritual master, one receives Kṛṣṇa’s mercy and strength to conquer spiritual obstacles.

  3. 3

    Only devotional service enables one to understand Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in truth. By the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one attains the ultimate goal, the lotus feet of Viṣṇu.

Key points from the purport
  • Since the spiritual master is the captain, one must serve the spiritual master very sincerely so that by his mercy one will be able to get the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
  • In summary, as stated by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one must get in touch with a bona fide spiritual master coming in the paramparā of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for by his mercy and instructions one is able to get strength from Kṛṣṇa.
  • We must therefore conquer the enemies of Kṛṣṇa consciousness with the strength received from Balarāma.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 4

The purport of SB 7.15.45 quotesBG 4.9

In Bhagavad-gītā (4.9) the Lord says: “One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.”

The purport of SB 7.15.45 quotesSB 11.20.17

It is said in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (11.20.17): This human form of body is a most valuable boat, and the spiritual master is the captain, guru-karṇadhāram, to guide the boat in plying across the ocean of nescience.

The purport of SB 7.15.45 quotesBG 18.54

As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (18.54): “One who is transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful.

The purport of SB 7.15.45 quotesBG 18.55

And when one is in full consciousness of the Supreme Lord by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God.”

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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:

Such a devotee, even though not performing ritualistic ceremonies, advances in spiritual consciousness by the supreme will of the Personality of Godhead. One may actually become successful in spiritual consciousness by the mercy of devotees, or one may fall from spiritual consciousness by being disrespectful to devotees.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāvatas long as
  2. nṛ-kāyathis human form of body
  3. rathamconsidered to be a chariot
  4. ātma-vaśadependent upon one’s own control
  5. upakalpamin which there are many other subordinate parts
  6. dhatteone possesses
  7. gariṣṭha-caraṇathe lotus feet of the superiors (namely the spiritual master and his predecessors)
  8. arcanayāby serving
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

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”, “devotional service”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”, “understand”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favorable”

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

Am I trying only to gather knowledge, or also to follow spiritual instructions through service?

Practice

Choose one instruction from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s purport here and put it into practice today, such as taking a few minutes to chant the Lord’s holy name.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

The purport quotesSB 11.20.17

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 7.15's connections

Live this todaySharpen Knowledge Through Service and MercyThis 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 7.15.45? 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