Canto 1: Creation
SB1.12

Canto 1 · Chapter 12 · 36 verses · 1 story

Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit

Parīkṣit’s protection in the womb is recalled, and learned brāhmaṇas predict his qualities at birth.

Read on Vedabase
Themes of SB 1.12Viraha4Prema3Rakṣā3Dharma3from its story phase
Connected storiesArjuna and AśvatthāmāKing YayātiBhīṣmadevaPṛṣadhra
Who is speakingSūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaEvery voice in this chapter ›

What this chapter speaks about · the ten subjects

In this chapter

Who · Parīkṣit, Kṛṣṇa, Uttarā, Yudhiṣṭhira and the learned brāhmaṇas

The story · The account of Parīkṣit’s birth recalls how the Supreme Lord saved him from Aśvatthāmā’s weapon within Uttarā’s womb. The child saw the Lord in a thumb-high, transcendental form, dressed in lightning yellow with a blazing golden helmet. The Lord then disappeared from his sight. At the birth ceremony, learned brāhmaṇas foretold that the child would protect his subjects, remain true to his promises, and possess strength and tolerance. They also said he would chastise the quarrelsome for world peace and religion.

What it teaches · The Supreme Lord is the protector of the righteous and is unlimited by time and space. The qualities praised in Parīkṣit include protection, truthfulness, tolerance and care for religion.

SB 1.12.1SB 1.12.11SB 1.12.26Read chapter 12 ›

Beyond this chapter

Connected stories across the Bhāgavatam

Stories told in other chapters that this chapter's verses or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purports bring in, the other Bhāgavatam verses the purports quote, and stories in other cantos with the same themes. Each link shows the sentence it comes from.

Arjuna and Aśvatthāmā

SB 1.7 · Arjuna captures Aśvatthāmā

What it teaches · The discussion brings together the gravity of killing innocent children and concern for the grief of others. Kṛṣṇa guides Arjuna as he faces the question of punishment.

The womb of Uttarā, mother of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, was spoiled by the dreadful and invincible brahmāstra weapon released by Aśvatthāmā.

So the subject of the release of the brahmāstra weapon by Aśvatthāmā is renewed.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.1 (Text 1)
Read the story in SB 1.7

King Yayāti

SB 9.18–19 · Yayāti gives up enjoyment

What it teaches · Lust and greed cannot be satisfied even by all the world’s wealth. One who understands the temporary nature of material happiness turns away from pursuing it.

Mahārāja Śibi, the King of Uśīnara, was an intimate friend of Mahārāja Yayāti, who was able to reach the heavenly planets along with Mahārāja Śibi.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.20 (Text 20)

And in religion he will be like Mahārāja Yayāti.

Read the story in SB 9.18–19

Bhīṣmadeva

SB 1.9 · Bhīṣmadeva’s final attention

What it teaches · Even great thinkers cannot fully understand the Lord’s plan. Bhīṣmadeva’s final prayers show the goal of fixing the mind upon Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

…son of Droṇa, his punishment by Arjuna, Queen Kuntīdevī’s prayers, the Pāṇḍavas’ visit to the place where Bhīṣmadeva was lying, his prayers and thereafter the Lord’s departure for Dvārakā were discussed.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.1 (Text 1)

Then all the brothers went to Bhīṣmadeva.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.21 (Text 21)
Read the story in SB 1.9

Pṛṣadhra

SB 9.2 · Pṛṣadhra reaches the spiritual world

What it teaches · Pṛṣadhra’s history shows that devotional worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead leads beyond material life to the spiritual world.

This Vaivasvata Manu had ten sons, named Ikṣvāku, Nabhaga, Dhṛṣṭa, Śaryāti, Nariṣyanta, Nābhāga, Diṣṭa, Karūṣa, Pṛṣadhra and Vasumān.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.19 (Text 19)
Read the story in SB 9.2

Vṛkāsura

SB 10.88 · The Lord saves Śiva from Vṛkāsura

What it teaches · Material benedictions are not the same as the highest good. The chapter explains that Lord Hari’s mercy leads His devotees beyond the modes of nature, even when that mercy involves losing wealth.

To Vṛkāsura, Lord Śiva awarded a benediction which was not only awkward, but also disturbing.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport · SB 1.12.23 (Text 23)
Read the story in SB 10.88

King Rantideva

SB 9.21 · Rantideva’s compassion

What it teaches · Rantideva’s compassion arose from his devotion to the Supreme Lord. Those who followed his principles became pure devotees attached to Nārāyaṇa and the best of yogīs.

In magnanimity he will become as great as King Rantideva.

Read the story in SB 9.21

Other Bhāgavatam verses Śrīla Prabhupāda quotes here

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 11 · 5 minStudy a verseOne verse with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and three study points from the purport.Back · LearnPreface & Introduction