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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 7.15.53

Who is speaking and story frame

इन्द्रियाणि मनस्यूर्मौ वाचि वैकारिकं मन: ।

वाचं वर्णसमाम्नाये तमोङ्कारे स्वरे न्यसेत् ।

ओङ्कारं बिन्दौ नादे तं तं तु प्राणे महत्यमुम् ॥ ५३ ॥

indriyāṇi manasy ūrmau

vāci vaikārikaṁ manaḥ

vācaṁ varṇa-samāmnāye

tam oṁkāre svare nyaset

oṁkāraṁ bindau nāde taṁ

taṁ tu prāṇe mahaty amum

Translation

The mind is always agitated by waves of acceptance and rejection. Therefore all the activities of the senses should be offered into the mind, which should be offered into one’s words. Then one’s words should be offered into the aggregate of all alphabets, which should be offered into the concise form oṁkāra. Oṁkāra should be offered into the point bindu, bindu into the vibration of sound, and that vibration into the life air. Then the living entity, who is all that remains, should be placed in Brahman, the Supreme. This is the process of sacrifice.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Shelter in Kṛṣṇa Calms Mental Waves

  1. 1

    The mind is constantly tossed by waves of acceptance and rejection. Through forgetfulness, the living entity floats in these waves of material existence.

  2. 2

    Regarding Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet as our ultimate shelter saves us from the waves of māyā. The purport encourages confidence that the living entity is Kṛṣṇa’s servant.

  3. 3

    By taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, we remain in touch with Him. By Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s mercy, returning to the spiritual world becomes very easy.

Key points from the purport
  • The mind is always agitated by acceptance and rejection, which are compared to mental waves that are constantly tossing.
  • Jīva kṛṣṇa-dāsa, ei viśvāsa, karle ta’ āra duḥkha nāi: if we simply regard the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa as our ultimate shelter, we shall be saved from all these waves of māyā, which are variously exhibited as mental and sensual activities and the agitation of rejection and acceptance.
  • Therefore if we simply place ourselves at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa by taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and keeping always in touch with Him by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, we need not take much trouble in arranging to return to the spiritual world.

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 7.15.53 quotesBG 18.66

Kṛṣṇa instructs in Bhagavad-gītā (18.66): “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.

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:

If a sannyāsī is agitated by the senses, he is a cheater influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance. When one assumes a role in goodness by starting philanthropic and altruistic activities, such activities become impediments on the path of devotional service.
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. indriyāṇithe senses (acting and knowledge-gathering)
  2. manasiin the mind
  3. ūrmauin the waves of acceptance and rejection
  4. vāciin the words
  5. vaikārikaminfected by changes
  6. manaḥthe mind
  7. vācamthe words
  8. varṇa-samāmnāyein the aggregate of all alphabets
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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: “māyā”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “mercy”

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

When my mind swings between wanting and rejecting, how can I turn toward Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

When you notice mental agitation today, pause and chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayShelter in Kṛṣṇa Calms Mental WavesThis 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 7.15.53? Get an answer from the verses themselves.