FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.7.15

ऋषि: कारुणिकस्तस्या: प्रादादुभयमीश्वर: । धर्मस्य तत्त्वं ज्ञानं च मामप्युद्दिश्य निर्मलम् ॥ १५ ॥
ṛṣiḥ kāruṇikas tasyāḥ
[rishih kaarunikas tasyaah]
prādād ubhayam īśvaraḥ
[praadaad ubhayam eeshvarah]
dharmasya tattvaṁ jñānaṁ ca
[dharmasya tattvam jnaanam cha]
mām apy uddiśya nirmalam
[maam apy uddishya nirmalam]
ṛṣiḥ — the great sage Nārada Muni kāruṇikaḥ — naturally very affectionate or merciful to the fallen souls tasyāḥ — to her prādāt — gave instructions ubhayam — both īśvaraḥ — a powerful controller who can do whatever he likes (Nārada Muni) dharmasya — of religion tattvam — the truth jñānam — knowledge ca — and mām — me api — especially uddiśya — indicating nirmalam — without material contamination.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
ṛṣiḥ kāruṇikas tasyāḥ
ṛṣiḥ
the great sage Nārada Muni
kāruṇikaḥ
naturally very affectionate or merciful to the fallen souls
tasyāḥ
to her
prādād ubhayam īśvaraḥ
prādāt
gave instructions
ubhayam
both
īśvaraḥ
a powerful controller who can do whatever he likes (Nārada Muni)
dharmasya tattvaṁ jñānaṁ ca
dharmasya
of religion
tattvam
the truth
jñānam
knowledge
ca
and
mām apy uddiśya nirmalam
mām
me
api
especially
uddiśya
indicating
nirmalam
without material contamination.
Nārada Muni delivered his instructions both to me, who was within the womb, and to my mother, who was engaged in rendering him service. Because he is naturally extremely kind to the fallen souls, being in a transcendental position, he gave instructions on religion and transcendental knowledge. These instructions were free from all material contamination.

Here it is said, dharmasya tattvaṁ jñānaṁ ca … nirmalam. The word nirmalam refers to spotless dharma, spotless religion — or, in other words, bhāgavata-dharma. Ordinary ritualistic activities constitute contaminated religion, by which one benefits by developing material wealth and prosperity, but uncontaminated, pure religion consists of understanding one’s relationship with God and acting accordingly, thus fulfilling the highest mission of life and returning home, back to Godhead. Prahlāda Mahārāja advised that one elevate oneself to the standard of bhāgavata-dharma from the very beginning of life ( kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha ). The Lord Himself also speaks of pure, uncontaminated religion when He says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.” ( Bg. 18.66 ) One must understand one’s relationship with God and then act accordingly. This is bhāgavata-dharma. Bhāgavata-dharma means bhakti-yoga.

vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam

“By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.” ( Bhāg. 1.2.7 ) To be situated on the platform of pure religion, one should perform bhakti-yoga in relationship with Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The merciful and capable Nārada gave the auspiciousness to her child and delivery after the arrival of her husband, by teaching bhakti-yoga and bhakti-jñāna to me and my mother. With aim of auspiciousness of the child and for delivery after the arrival of her husband, Nārada taught the pure essence of dharma, bhakti-yoga and pure knowledge, approved by the devotees to me and also her (ca).
Related verses
Nārada instructed both the embryo Prahlāda and his serving mother — giving spotless religion (bhāgavata-dharma) free of material contamination. Real teaching reaches everyone present, even the one no one sees. Speak the truth in the room; you do not know who is listening.
Reflection Questions
  • Whose 'invisible' presence in your conversations could be the most attentive listener?
  • Where could your speech be cleaner because the unseen are hearing?
📝 My note

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