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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
7.15.667.15.68

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 7.15.67

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
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

एतैरन्यैश्च वेदोक्तैर्वर्तमान: स्वकर्मभि: ।

गृहेऽप्यस्य गतिं यायाद् राजंस्तद्भ‍क्तिभाङ्‌‌नर: ॥ ६७ ॥

etair anyaiś ca vedoktair

vartamānaḥ sva-karmabhiḥ

gṛhe ’py asya gatiṁ yāyād

rājaṁs tad-bhakti-bhāṅ naraḥ

Translation

O King, one should perform his occupational duties according to these instructions, as well as other instructions given in the Vedic literature, just to remain a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Thus, even while at home, one will be able to reach the destination.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Reach Kṛṣṇa From Any Position of Life

  1. 1

    Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate goal of life. Everyone should aim to reach Him from whatever position they occupy.

  2. 2

    Kṛṣṇa accepts service from anyone. Performing occupational duties under the spiritual master's direction, with Kṛṣṇa as the destination, makes life successful.

  3. 3

    A householder can reach Kṛṣṇa even while remaining at home. The requirement is to become a pure devotee, free from material desires.

Key points from the purport
  • The ultimate goal of life is Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa.
  • Therefore, either by Vedic regulative principles or by materialistic activities, if one tries to reach the destination of Kṛṣṇa, that is the perfection of life.
  • Kṛṣṇa should be the target; everyone should try to reach Kṛṣṇa, from any position of life.

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 7.15.67 quotesBG 9.32

The Lord says in Bhagavad-gītā (9.32): “O son of Pṛthā, those who take shelter in Me, though they be of lower birth — women, vaiśyas [merchants], as well as śūdras [workers] — can approach the supreme destination.”

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 one who is performing the Vedic ritualistic ceremonies becomes a devotee, even if he is a gṛhastha, he can receive the causeless mercy of Kṛṣṇa. The objective of a devotee is to return home, back to Godhead.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.15
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. etaiḥby these ways
  2. anyaiḥby other ways
  3. caand
  4. veda-uktaiḥas directed in the Vedic literatures
  5. vartamānaḥabiding
  6. sva-karmabhiḥby one’s occupational duties
  7. gṛhe apieven at home
  8. asyaof Lord Kṛṣṇa
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “duties”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 7.15

    In this verse: “king”

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

How can my present responsibilities become part of my devotional service rather than seem like barriers to it?

Practice

Choose one responsibility at home or work and perform it today as service to Kṛṣṇa, without seeking a personal material reward.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReach Kṛṣṇa From Any Position of LifeThis 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.

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