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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
1.12.131.12.15

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.14

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

हिरण्यं गां महीं ग्रामान् हस्त्यश्वान्नृपतिर्वरान् ।

प्रादात्स्वन्नं च विप्रेभ्य: प्रजातीर्थे स तीर्थवित् ॥ १४ ॥

hiraṇyaṁ gāṁ mahīṁ grāmān

hasty-aśvān nṛpatir varān

prādāt svannaṁ ca viprebhyaḥ

prajā-tīrthe sa tīrthavit

Translation

Upon the birth of a son, the King, who knew how, where and when charity should be given, gave gold, land, villages, elephants, horses and good food grains to the brāhmaṇas.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Give Thoughtfully to Support the Lord’s Service

  1. 1

    The King knew how, where and when charity should be given. At the child’s birth, he generously gave wealth and provisions to the brāhmaṇas.

  2. 2

    Charity was offered to those qualified by spiritual enlightenment. It maintained brāhmaṇas engaged in the Lord’s service without anxiety over bodily needs.

  3. 3

    Freed from earning for themselves, these brāhmaṇas could devote themselves to the well-being of society. Properly directed charity supported society’s spiritual advancement.

Key points from the purport
  • The charity was substantial in the shape of gold, land, villages, horses, elephants and food grains, with other materials for cooking complete foodstuff.
  • On the contrary, because they possessed gold, land, villages, horses, elephants and sufficient grains, they had nothing to earn for themselves.
  • Nor can a wretched poor man receive much munificent charity in the way of horses, elephants, land and villages.

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. hiraṇyamgold
  2. gāmcows
  3. mahīmland
  4. grāmānvillages
  5. hastielephants
  6. aśvānhorses
  7. nṛpatiḥthe King
  8. varānrewards
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”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “child’s”

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

How can my giving help sincere servants of the Lord carry out their spiritual service?

Practice

Set aside a small gift today for a spiritually qualified person engaged in the Lord’s service.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGive Thoughtfully to Support the Lord’s ServiceThis 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 1.12.14? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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