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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 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 ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 12: Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit
1.12.121.12.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.13

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.12.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तस्य प्रीतमना राजा विप्रैर्धौम्यकृपादिभि: ।

जातकं कारयामास वाचयित्वा च मङ्गलम् ॥ १३ ॥

tasya prīta-manā rājā

viprair dhaumya-kṛpādibhiḥ

jātakaṁ kārayām āsa

vācayitvā ca maṅgalam

Translation

King Yudhiṣṭhira, who was very satisfied with the birth of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, had the purificatory process of birth performed. Learned brāhmaṇas, headed by Dhaumya and Kṛpa, recited auspicious hymns.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Purification Is for Spiritual Upliftment

  1. 1

    King Yudhiṣṭhira had the birth purification performed by learned brāhmaṇas headed by Dhaumya and Kṛpa. Such purificatory processes have practical purposes and are not merely social formalities.

  2. 2

    Because proper facilities and qualified brāhmaṇas for Vedic rites are lacking in this age, the Pāñcarātrika system is recommended. Its purpose is spiritual upliftment, not some other gain.

  3. 3

    Spiritual upliftment is never conditioned by higher or lower parentage. Learned spiritual guidance also helped rulers discharge their responsibilities properly.

Key points from the purport
  • This was performed duly by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira with the help of good and learned brāhmaṇas like Dhaumya, the royal priest, and Kṛpācārya, who was not only a priest but also a great general.
  • Therefore all the saṁskāras, purificatory processes, are not mere formalities or social functions only, but they are all for practical purposes and can be successfully performed by expert brāhmaṇas like Dhaumya and Kṛpa.
  • The great administrators, kings and emperors were always under the guidance of learned brāhmaṇas like Kṛpācārya and thus were able to act properly in the discharge of political responsibilities.

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

Longing → Joy and continuity. Departure and welcome coexist; Parīkṣit embodies continuity of grace.

Chapters 10–12 of Canto 1: Kṛṣṇa returns to Dvārakā; Parīkṣit is born. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 12: Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit

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

Back to this verse in chapter 1.12
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. tasyahis
  2. prīta-manāḥsatisfied
  3. rājāKing Yudhiṣṭhira
  4. vipraiḥby the learned brāhmaṇas
  5. dhaumyaDhaumya
  6. kṛpaKṛpa
  7. ādibhiḥand others also
  8. jātakamone of the purificatory processes performed just after the birth of a child
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “king”, “rulers”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “purificatory”, “purification”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “recited”

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

Do I approach spiritual practices as opportunities for upliftment, or merely as formalities?

Practice

Before your next spiritual practice today, pause and clearly set your intention on spiritual upliftment rather than social recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayPurification Is for Spiritual UpliftmentThis 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.

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