Sunday, 14 September 2025

MANGALACHARANA X SMB

 A

The Maṅgalācaraṇa of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is its traditional invocation—offering obeisance before beginning the narration. In Sanskrit works, it is customary to begin with a prayer to God, Guru, or the presiding deity of the text.

The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam opens with its maṅgalācaraṇa in the very first verse of the First Canto (1.1.1):

Sanskrit (Devanāgarī)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ।

Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya

The Opening Verse (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.1)

जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट्
तेने ब्रह्म हृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः ।
तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा
धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि ॥

Transliteration

janmādy asya yato ’nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ
tene brahma hṛdā ya ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ
tejo-vāri-mṛdāṁ yathā vinimayo yatra tri-sargo ’mṛṣā
dhāmnā svena sadā nirasta-kuhakaṁ satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi

Meaning (Summary)

  • “I meditate upon the Supreme Truth, Lord Vasudeva, from whom creation, sustenance, and destruction of the universe arise. He is fully cognizant, independent, and the one who revealed the Vedic knowledge to Brahmā in his heart. Even the great sages are bewildered by Him. By His illusory energy, the threefold creation (fire, water, and earth) appears real though it is temporary. He eternally exists in His own abode, where illusion cannot enter. I meditate upon that Supreme Truth.”

✨ This verse is considered the maṅgalācaraṇa verse of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa. It sets the foundation that the text is not just history or philosophy—it is a meditation on the Absolute Truth, Śrī Krishna (Vāsudeva).

👉 Do you want me to give you the full Maṅgalācaraṇa verses (the first three ślokas) of the Bhāgavatam with word-for-word meaning, or just this main opening verse in detail?


A

Wonderful 🙏 Let me give you the full Maṅgalācaraṇa (first three verses of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam) along with simple explanation.

🌺 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Maṅgalācaraṇa

1. First Verse (1.1.1)

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ।
जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट्
तेने ब्रह्म हृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः ।
तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा
धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि ॥

Meaning:
I meditate on the Supreme Absolute Truth—Lord Vāsudeva, from whom creation, sustenance, and destruction arise. He revealed the Vedas to Brahmā, even great sages are bewildered by Him, and by His energy the world appears real. But His own eternal abode is untouched by illusion.

2. Second Verse (1.1.2)

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां
वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।
श्रिमद्भागवते महा-मुनिकृते किम्वापरेरिष्यः
सद्यः हृद्यवरुद्ध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥

Meaning:
This Bhāgavata rejects all cheating forms of religion (kaitava-dharma) and establishes the highest dharma—pure devotion (bhakti). It reveals the ultimate reality that uproots the threefold miseries of life. Compiled by the great sage Vyāsa, this scripture immediately captures the heart of those who sincerely listen with devotion.

3. Third Verse (1.1.3)

निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं
शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम् ।
पिबत भागवतम् रसामलयं
मुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः ॥

Meaning:
The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit of the tree of Vedic knowledge. It became even sweeter as it was spoken through the mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmi. O connoisseurs of rasa (divine taste), O thoughtful souls! Drink this nectar again and again until the heart is fully satisfied.

✨ Essence of the Maṅgalācaraṇa

  1. Verse 1.1.1 → Meditation on the Absolute Truth, Śrī Krishna.

  2. Verse 1.1.2 → Glorification of the Bhāgavata Purāṇa as the supreme scripture, free from cheating dharmas.

  3. Verse 1.1.3 → Invitation to relish its nectar, the sweetest fruit of the Vedas.

👉 Do you want me to also give you the word-for-word breakdown (padacched + translation) for each of these three verses, so you can study them in detail like a commentary?


A

Excellent 🙏 Let’s go step by step with padaccheda (word-splitting) + word-for-word meaning + simple explanation for the first three maṅgalācaraṇa ślokas of the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam.

🌺 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam – Maṅgalācaraṇa

1. Verse 1.1.1

Sanskrit

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ।
जन्माद्यस्य यतोऽन्वयादितरतश्चार्थेष्वभिज्ञः स्वराट्
तेने ब्रह्म हृदा य आदिकवये मुह्यन्ति यत्सूरयः ।
तेजोवारिमृदां यथा विनिमयो यत्र त्रिसर्गोऽमृषा
धाम्ना स्वेन सदा निरस्तकुहकं सत्यं परं धीमहि ॥

Padaccheda & Word Meaning

  • janma-ādi asya — creation, etc., of this (cosmos)

  • yataḥ — from whom

  • anvayāt itarataḥ ca — directly and indirectly

  • artheṣu abhijñaḥ — fully cognizant

  • sva-rāṭ — fully independent

  • tene brahma hṛdā — imparted the Vedic knowledge into the heart

  • yaḥ ādi-kavaye — to Brahmā, the first poet/sage

  • muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ — by whom even great sages are bewildered

  • tejaḥ vāri mṛdām yathā vinimayaḥ — fire, water, and earth, as if transformed

  • yatra tri-sargaḥ amṛṣā — where the threefold creation appears real but is illusory

  • dhāmnā svena — by His own effulgence

  • sadā nirasta-kuhakam — always free from illusion

  • satyaṁ paraṁ dhīmahi — I meditate on that Supreme Truth.

Simple Explanation

This verse declares: The Absolute Truth is the source of creation, sustenance, and destruction, fully independent, the one who revealed the Vedas to Brahmā. Though sages are bewildered by His māyā, He eternally exists beyond illusion. I meditate upon Him—Śrī Krishna (Vāsudeva).

2. Verse 1.1.2

Sanskrit

धर्मः प्रोज्झितकैतवोऽत्र परमो निर्मत्सराणां सतां
वेद्यं वास्तवमत्र वस्तु शिवदं तापत्रयोन्मूलनम् ।
श्रीमद्भागवते महा-मुनिकृते किम्वापरेरिष्यः
सद्यः हृद्यवरुद्ध्यतेऽत्र कृतिभिः शुश्रूषुभिस्तत्क्षणात् ॥

Padaccheda & Word Meaning

  • dharmaḥ — religion

  • projjhita-kaitavaḥ atra — completely rejecting all cheating, materially motivated religion here

  • paramaḥ — supreme

  • nirmatsarāṇām satām — for the pure-hearted, free from envy

  • vedyam — knowable

  • vāstavam vastu — the ultimate reality

  • śiva-dam — bestowing auspiciousness

  • tāpa-traya unmūlanam — uproots the threefold miseries (adhyātmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika)

  • śrīmad-bhāgavate — in the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam

  • mahā-muni-kṛte — compiled by the great sage (Vyāsa)

  • kim vā apare iṣyate — what need is there for other scriptures?

  • sadyah — immediately

  • hṛdi avarudhyate atra — captures the heart here

  • kṛtibhiḥ — for the pious

  • śuśrūṣubhiḥ tatkṣaṇāt — eager hearers, at once.

Simple Explanation

This verse says: The Bhāgavatam rejects all false religions and reveals the supreme truth, which removes suffering and grants auspiciousness. Created by Vyāsa, it satisfies all needs. For those who are sincere and eager to listen, it immediately captures the heart.

3. Verse 1.1.3

Sanskrit

निगमकल्पतरोर्गलितं फलं
शुकमुखादमृतद्रवसंयुतम् ।
पिबत भागवतम् रसामलयं
मुरहो रसिका भुवि भावुकाः ॥

Padaccheda & Word Meaning

  • nigama-kalpataroḥ — of the Vedic tree of desire-fulfilling knowledge

  • galitaṁ phalam — ripened fruit

  • śuka-mukhāt — from the mouth of Śukadeva Gosvāmi

  • amṛta-drava-saṁyutam — mixed with nectar of immortality

  • pibata bhāgavatam — drink the Bhāgavatam

  • rasa-āmalayam — until you are fully absorbed in its essence (rasa)

  • muhuḥ — again and again

  • aho — O!

  • rasikāḥ — connoisseurs of taste

  • bhuvi bhāvukāḥ — thoughtful and intelligent souls on earth.

Simple Explanation

This verse invites: The Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit of the Vedic tree, sweetened further by the mouth of Śukadeva. O wise and rasika souls, drink this nectar repeatedly, for it is full of rasa (divine taste).

✨ Essence of the Three Ślokas

  1. 1.1.1 — Invocation: meditation on the Supreme Truth, Krishna.

  2. 1.1.2 — Glorification: Bhāgavatam is the supreme scripture, free from cheating religion.

  3. 1.1.3 — Invitation: relish its sweetness like nectar, given through Śukadeva Gosvāmi.

👉 Do you want me to also share the traditional commentaries (Bhāvārtha) of Śrīdhara Swāmī, Jīva Gosvāmī, or Śrīla Prabhupāda on these verses, to deepen the study?


A

Perfect 🙏 You’re asking for Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda’s commentary (Bhaktivedanta Purports) on the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Maṅgalācaraṇa (1.1.1–1.1.3).

Here I will give you:

  1. Translation (as given by Prabhupāda in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam)

  2. Purport (summary style)

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.1

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes…”

Purport (Summary):

  • The very beginning establishes Kṛṣṇa as the Absolute Truth (not impersonal Brahman or only localized Paramātmā).

  • The word abhijñaḥ (fully cognizant) shows that He is conscious at creation—unlike matter.

  • Svarāṭ means He is fully independent; no one creates Him.

  • He imparted Vedic knowledge to Brahmā at the dawn of creation.

  • The material world is temporary, but His eternal abode is untouched by illusion.

  • Thus, the Bhāgavatam begins by declaring: the object of meditation is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.2

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva, is sufficient in itself for God-realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.”

Purport (Summary):

  • Dharma is often mixed with material desires (artha, kāma, mokṣa). Bhāgavatam rejects such kaitava-dharma (cheating religion).

  • Pure religion = unmotivated devotional service (bhakti).

  • This scripture removes the threefold miseries (body/mind, others, nature).

  • Vyāsadeva compiled it after realizing the Supreme Lord.

  • By sincerely hearing Bhāgavatam, Kṛṣṇa enters the listener’s heart.

  • No other scripture is needed when one has Bhāgavatam.

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.3

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.”

Purport (Summary):

  • The Vedas are like a kalpataru (wish-fulfilling tree).

  • The Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit, and when spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, it became sweeter (like fruit touched by a parrot’s beak).

  • Even liberated souls relish Bhāgavatam.

  • The invitation is open: thoughtful, rasika people should drink this nectar repeatedly.

  • The Bhāgavatam is not just philosophy—it is rasa, divine spiritual taste.

✨ In short, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that:

  1. The Absolute Truth is Kṛṣṇa (1.1.1).

  2. Bhāgavatam teaches pure bhakti, rejecting all materialistic dharmas (1.1.2).

  3. It is the sweetest fruit of Vedic wisdom, meant to be relished eternally (1.1.3).

👉 Do you want me to also share Śrīla Prabhupāda’s explanation of the word kaitava-dharma (cheating religion) in detail? It’s one of his strongest teachings from these verses.

A

Perfect 🙏 You’re asking for Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda’s commentary (Bhaktivedanta Purports) on the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam Maṅgalācaraṇa (1.1.1–1.1.3).

Here I will give you:

  1. Translation (as given by Prabhupāda in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam)

  2. Purport (summary style)

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.1

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“O my Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, son of Vasudeva, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, I offer my respectful obeisances unto You. I meditate upon Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa because He is the Absolute Truth and the primeval cause of all causes of the creation, sustenance, and destruction of the manifested universes…”

Purport (Summary):

  • The very beginning establishes Kṛṣṇa as the Absolute Truth (not impersonal Brahman or only localized Paramātmā).

  • The word abhijñaḥ (fully cognizant) shows that He is conscious at creation—unlike matter.

  • Svarāṭ means He is fully independent; no one creates Him.

  • He imparted Vedic knowledge to Brahmā at the dawn of creation.

  • The material world is temporary, but His eternal abode is untouched by illusion.

  • Thus, the Bhāgavatam begins by declaring: the object of meditation is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.2

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“Completely rejecting all religious activities which are materially motivated, this Bhāgavata Purāṇa propounds the highest truth, which is understandable by those devotees who are pure in heart. The highest truth is reality distinguished from illusion for the welfare of all. Such truth uproots the threefold miseries. This beautiful Bhāgavatam, compiled by the great sage Vyāsadeva, is sufficient in itself for God-realization. What is the need of any other scripture? As soon as one attentively and submissively hears the message of Bhāgavatam, by this culture of knowledge the Supreme Lord is established within his heart.”

Purport (Summary):

  • Dharma is often mixed with material desires (artha, kāma, mokṣa). Bhāgavatam rejects such kaitava-dharma (cheating religion).

  • Pure religion = unmotivated devotional service (bhakti).

  • This scripture removes the threefold miseries (body/mind, others, nature).

  • Vyāsadeva compiled it after realizing the Supreme Lord.

  • By sincerely hearing Bhāgavatam, Kṛṣṇa enters the listener’s heart.

  • No other scripture is needed when one has Bhāgavatam.

🌸 Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.3

Translation (Prabhupāda):
“O expert and thoughtful men, relish Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the mature fruit of the desire tree of Vedic literatures. It emanated from the lips of Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī. Therefore this fruit has become even more tasteful, although its nectarean juice was already relishable for all, including liberated souls.”

Purport (Summary):

  • The Vedas are like a kalpataru (wish-fulfilling tree).

  • The Bhāgavatam is the ripened fruit, and when spoken by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, it became sweeter (like fruit touched by a parrot’s beak).

  • Even liberated souls relish Bhāgavatam.

  • The invitation is open: thoughtful, rasika people should drink this nectar repeatedly.

  • The Bhāgavatam is not just philosophy—it is rasa, divine spiritual taste.

✨ In short, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that:

  1. The Absolute Truth is Kṛṣṇa (1.1.1).

  2. Bhāgavatam teaches pure bhakti, rejecting all materialistic dharmas (1.1.2).

  3. It is the sweetest fruit of Vedic wisdom, meant to be relished eternally (1.1.3).

👉 Do you want me to also share Śrīla Prabhupāda’s explanation of the word kaitava-dharma (cheating religion) in detail? It’s one of his strongest teachings from these verses.


A


KAITAVA DHARMA #

Wonderful 🙏 Let’s focus on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teaching on kaitava-dharma (cheating religion) from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.1.2.

📖 The Verse (1.1.2)

dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ’tra
= “Here (in this Bhāgavata) all materially motivated or cheating religions are completely rejected.”

🌸 Prabhupāda’s Explanation of Kaitava-Dharma

In his purport, Prabhupāda makes it very clear that:

✅ What is real dharma?

  • Real religion is that which awakens loving devotional service (bhakti) to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

  • Bhakti must be ahaitukī (without selfish motive) and apratihatā (without interruption).

  • Anything else—even if called “religion”—is secondary or cheating.

❌ What is kaitava-dharma (cheating religion)?

Prabhupāda identifies four main goals people usually seek through religion—

  1. Dharma — following rituals and duties just for piety.

  2. Artha — using religion to get wealth.

  3. Kāma — using wealth/religion to fulfill desires.

  4. Mokṣa — desiring liberation from suffering for one’s own benefit.

👉 When religion is practiced with any of these selfish goals, it is kaitava — cheating, because it hides the true purpose of dharma: pure devotion to God.

💡 Key Points from Prabhupāda

  • The Bhāgavatam begins by rejecting all kaitava-dharmas, including karma-kāṇḍa (rituals for material gain), jñāna-kāṇḍa (philosophy for liberation), and mokṣa-kāma (desire for liberation itself).

  • Even the desire for mokṣa (impersonal liberation) is cheating, because the soul’s real nature is eternal service to Kṛṣṇa.

  • True religion (bhāgavata-dharma) means: “to serve God with love, without expecting anything in return.”

🌺 Conclusion (Prabhupāda’s mood)

Prabhupāda would often say:

  • “Religion without love of God is simply cheating.”

  • “The Śrīmad Bhāgavatam is the spotless Purāṇa (amala-purāṇa) because it teaches only pure devotion to Kṛṣṇa.”

  • “All other so-called dharmas are kaitava because they distract the soul from its eternal relationship with God.”

✨ So, when the Bhāgavatam says dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo ’tra → it is declaring:
👉 All false religions are rejected here. Only pure bhakti-dharma remains.

Would you like me to also bring Śrīla Prabhupāda’s practical examples of kaitava-dharma (like ritualistic religion, impersonal philosophy, materialistic piety, etc.) in his own words from lectures and writings?


A


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