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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
7.15.557.15.57

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.56

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

य एते पितृदेवानामयने वेदनिर्मिते ।

शास्त्रेण चक्षुषा वेद जनस्थोऽपि न मुह्यति ॥ ५६ ॥

ya ete pitṛ-devānām

ayane veda-nirmite

śāstreṇa cakṣuṣā veda

jana-stho ’pi na muhyati

Translation

Even though situated in a material body, one who is fully aware of the paths known as pitṛ-yāna and deva-yāna, and who thus opens his eyes in terms of Vedic knowledge, is never bewildered in this material world.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Knowledge Through a Spiritual Master

  1. 1

    One who understands pitṛ-yāna and deva-yāna through Vedic knowledge is not bewildered in the material world. This clarity is possible even while living in a material body.

  2. 2

    The Vedas set forth the standard of infallible knowledge. One guided by a bona fide spiritual master understands their teachings.

  3. 3

    For real knowledge, one must approach the ācārya, the spiritual teacher. Under the spiritual master’s guidance, one attains the ultimate goal of life.

Key points from the purport
  • Ācāryavān puruṣo veda: one who is guided by the bona fide spiritual master knows everything as stated in the Vedas, which set forth the standard of infallible knowledge.
  • As recommended in Bhagavad-gītā, ācāryopāsanam: one must approach the ācārya for real knowledge.
  • Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet: one must approach the ācārya, for then one will receive perfect knowledge.

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:

Those who follow the paths of pitṛ-yāna and deva-yāna are never bewildered, even while in the material body. A monistic philosopher who gradually develops control of the senses understands that the objective of all the different āśramas, the statuses of life, is salvation.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yaḥone who
  2. eteon this path (as recommended above)
  3. pitṛ-devānāmknown as pitṛ-yāna and deva-yāna
  4. ayaneon this path
  5. veda-nirmiterecommended in the Vedas
  6. śāstreṇaby regular study of the scriptures
  7. cakṣuṣāby enlightened eyes
  8. vedais fully aware
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: “knowledge”, “understands”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

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 willing to receive spiritual guidance rather than rely only on my own understanding?

Practice

Reread this purport and write down one question you would like to ask a bona fide spiritual master.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Knowledge Through a Spiritual MasterThis 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 7.15.56? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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