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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 7.6.15

Who is speaking and story frame

वित्तेषु नित्याभिनिविष्टचेता

विद्वांश्च दोषं परवित्तहर्तु: ।

प्रेत्येह वाथाप्यजितेन्द्रियस्त-

दशान्तकामो हरते कुटुम्बी ॥ १५ ॥

vitteṣu nityābhiniviṣṭa-cetā

vidvāṁś ca doṣaṁ para-vitta-hartuḥ

pretyeha vāthāpy ajitendriyas tad

aśānta-kāmo harate kuṭumbī

Translation

If a person too attached to the duties of family maintenance is unable to control his senses, the core of his heart is immersed in how to accumulate money. Although he knows that one who takes the wealth of others will be punished by the law of the government, and by the laws of Yamarāja after death, he continues cheating others to acquire money.

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

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Knowledge Must Be Joined With Sense Control

  1. 1

    A person too attached to family maintenance may become constantly absorbed in accumulating wealth. Uncontrolled senses leave material desires unsatisfied.

  2. 2

    Such a person may cheat others despite knowing the consequences. The translation describes punishment both under government law and under the laws of Yamarāja after death.

  3. 3

    Knowledge alone cannot stop sinful activity when the senses remain uncontrolled. The purport therefore emphasizes the need for sense control.

Key points from the purport
  • Especially in these days, people do not believe in a next life or in the court of Yamarāja and the various punishments of the sinful.
  • But at least one should know that one who cheats others to acquire money will be punished by the laws of the government.
  • Despite whatever knowledge one has, one cannot stop his sinful activities if he is unable to control his senses.

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 6: Prahlāda Instructs His Demoniac Schoolmates

From the chapter summary, the lines nearest this verse:

This is the duty of all living entities. Material education is infected by the three modes of nature, but spiritual education, for which there is a great need in human society, is transcendental.
Read the whole chapter summaryBack to this verse in chapter 7.6
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. vitteṣuin material wealth
  2. nitya-abhiniviṣṭa-cetāḥwhose mind is always absorbed
  3. vidvānhaving learned
  4. caalso
  5. doṣamthe fault
  6. para-vitta-hartuḥof one who steals the money of others by cheating or by transactions on the black market
  7. pretyaafter dying
  8. ihain this material world
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 7.6

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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 7.6

    In this verse: “death”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 7.6

    In this verse: “duties”

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

When has a strong desire tempted me to ignore what I know is right?

Practice

Check one financial transaction today and make sure you have represented it honestly.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

2 lectures given on it. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Live this todayKnowledge Must Be Joined With Sense ControlThis 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 7.6.15? Get an answer from the verses themselves.