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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 ›

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.46

Who is speaking and story frame

नोचेत्प्रमत्तमसदिन्द्रियवाजिसूता

नीत्वोत्पथं विषयदस्युषु निक्षिपन्ति ।

ते दस्यव: सहयसूतममुं तमोऽन्धे

संसारकूप उरुमृत्युभये क्षिपन्ति ॥ ४६ ॥

nocet pramattam asad-indriya-vāji-sūtā

nītvotpathaṁ viṣaya-dasyuṣu nikṣipanti

te dasyavaḥ sahaya-sūtam amuṁ tamo ’ndhe

saṁsāra-kūpa uru-mṛtyu-bhaye kṣipanti

Translation

Otherwise, if one does not take shelter of Acyuta and Baladeva, then the senses, acting as the horses, and the intelligence, acting as the driver, both being prone to material contamination, inattentively bring the body, which acts as the chariot, to the path of sense gratification. When one is thus attracted again by the rogues of viṣaya — eating, sleeping and mating — the horses and chariot driver are thrown into the blinding dark well of material existence, and one is again put into a dangerous and extremely fearful situation of repeated birth and death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Take Shelter of Gaura-Nitāi

  1. 1

    Without shelter of Acyuta and Baladeva, the senses and intelligence can carelessly lead the bodily chariot toward sense gratification. Renewed attraction to material enjoyment keeps one in the fearful cycle of birth and death.

  2. 2

    The fallen soul must take shelter of the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitāi to emerge from the dark well of material existence. Their mercy and strength dispel the darkness of ignorance.

  3. 3

    Speculative knowledge alone is insufficient to escape the clutches of matter. One must depend on the protection and strength of Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma.

Key points from the purport
  • Without the protection of Gaura-Nitāi — Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma — one cannot get out of the dark well of ignorance in material existence.
  • Without the mercy of Nitāi-Gaura, there is no way to come out of this dark well of ignorance.
  • The fallen soul in this dark well must take shelter of the lotus feet of Gaura-Nitāi, for thus he can easily emerge from material existence.

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· 1

The purport of SB 7.15.46 quotesCC Ādi 1.2

As stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 1.2): “I offer my respectful obeisances unto Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda, who are like the sun and moon.

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:

Because of performing fruitive activities, which are called the path of dharma, one has to accept the cycle of birth and death, but when one takes the path of mokṣa, or liberation, which is described in Bhagavad-gītā as arcanā-mārga, one can get relief from the cycle of birth and death. The Vedas describe these two paths as pitṛ-yāna and deva-yāna.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nocetif we do not follow the instructions of Acyuta, Kṛṣṇa, and do not take shelter of Balarāma
  2. pramattamcareless, inattentive
  3. asatwhich are always prone to material consciousness
  4. indriyathe senses
  5. vājiacting as the horses
  6. sūtāḥthe chariot driver (intelligence)
  7. nītvābringing
  8. utpathamto the roadway of material desire
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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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fearful”, “dangerous”, “death”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “sense gratification”, “material”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “contamination”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Where am I relying on my own intelligence instead of seeking the shelter and strength of Gaura-Nitāi?

Practice

Offer respectful obeisances to Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya and Lord Nityānanda today, asking for Their shelter and strength.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTake Shelter of Gaura-NitāiThis 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 7.15.46? Get an answer from the verses themselves.