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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 7.5.51

Who is speaking and story frame

तथेति गुरुपुत्रोक्तमनुज्ञायेदमब्रवीत् ।

धर्मो ह्यस्योपदेष्टव्यो राज्ञां यो गृहमेधिनाम् ॥ ५१ ॥

tatheti guru-putroktam

anujñāyedam abravīt

dharmo hy asyopadeṣṭavyo

rājñāṁ yo gṛha-medhinām

Translation

After hearing these instructions of Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, the sons of his spiritual master, Hiraṇyakaśipu agreed and requested them to instruct Prahlāda in that system of occupational duty which is followed by royal householder families.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Our Real Duty Is Serving Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted Prahlāda Mahārāja to become a king attached to sense enjoyment. Prahlāda wanted to become a rājarṣi, a king who governs but is as good as a great saint.

  2. 2

    Varṇāśrama-dharma educates people according to their position in society and stage of life. A devotee purified by devotional service, however, stands above the material qualities.

  3. 3

    Every living being is spiritual and is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. Our real occupational duty is to surrender to Him and engage in our spiritual function.

Key points from the purport
  • As described to his order carriers by Dharmarāja, or Yamarāja, a living being is a spiritual identity, and therefore his occupational duty is also spiritual.
  • Whatever one’s occupational duty, even according to the varṇāśrama system, one must give it up and engage in one’s spiritual function.
  • One’s real dharma, or occupational duty, is explained by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

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

Threat → Steady faith. A vulnerable child remains inwardly unshaken.

Chapters 5–7 of Canto 7: Prahlāda refuses to abandon his devotion. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Prahlāda Mahārāja, the Saintly Son of Hiraṇyakaśipu

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

The sons of Hiraṇyakaśipu’s spiritual master, Śukrācārya, began teaching Prahlāda in their own way, but Prahlāda Mahārāja did not accept their instructions. While the teachers were absent from the classroom, Prahlāda Mahārāja began to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the school, and by his instructions all his class friends, the sons of the demons, became devotees like him.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.5
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tathāin this way
  2. itithus
  3. guru-putra-uktamadvised by Ṣaṇḍa and Amarka, the sons of Śukrācārya
  4. anujñāyaaccepting
  5. idamthis
  6. abravītsaid
  7. dharmaḥthe duty
  8. hiindeed
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “householder”, “attached”, “material”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “duty”, “varṇāśrama-dharma”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 7.5

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotee”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I understand my daily duties in light of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Before one duty today, pause and remember: “My real duty is to serve Kṛṣṇa.”

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayOur Real Duty Is Serving KṛṣṇaThis 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 7.5.51? Get an answer from the verses themselves.