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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.
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Canto 7 · Chapter 15: Instructions for Civilized Human Beings
7.15.547.15.56

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.55

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

देवयानमिदं प्राहुर्भूत्वा भूत्वानुपूर्वश: ।

आत्मयाज्युपशान्तात्मा ह्यात्मस्थो न निवर्तते ॥ ५५ ॥

deva-yānam idaṁ prāhur

bhūtvā bhūtvānupūrvaśaḥ

ātma-yājy upaśāntātmā

hy ātma-stho na nivartate

Translation

This gradual process of elevation for self-realization is meant for those who are truly aware of the Absolute Truth. After repeated birth on this path, which is known as deva-yāna, one attains these consecutive stages. One who is completely free from all material desires, being situated in the self, need not traverse the path of repeated birth and death.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Freedom From Desire Ends Repeated Birth

  1. 1

    The gradual path of elevation for self-realization is meant for those truly aware of the Absolute Truth. This path is called deva-yāna.

  2. 2

    Its consecutive stages are attained through repeated birth. Gradual elevation therefore still involves a succession of births.

  3. 3

    One completely free from material desires is situated in the self. Such a person need not traverse the path of repeated birth and death.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. deva-yānamthe process of elevation known as deva-yāna
  2. idamon this (path)
  3. prāhuḥit is said
  4. bhūtvā bhūtvāhaving repeated birth
  5. anupūrvaśaḥconsecutively
  6. ātma-yājīone who is eager for self-realization
  7. upaśānta-ātmācompletely free from all material desires
  8. hiindeed
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “absolute truth”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “free from”

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

Which material desire most distracts me from self-realization?

Practice

Identify one unnecessary material desire and refrain from acting on it today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFreedom From Desire Ends Repeated BirthThis 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 7.15.55? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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