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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
1.12.11.12.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.2

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.12.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तस्य जन्म महाबुद्धे: कर्माणि च महात्मन: ।

निधनं च यथैवासीत्स प्रेत्य गतवान् यथा ॥ २ ॥

tasya janma mahā-buddheḥ

karmāṇi ca mahātmanaḥ

nidhanaṁ ca yathaivāsīt

sa pretya gatavān yathā

Translation

How was the great emperor Parīkṣit, who was a highly intelligent and great devotee, born in that womb? How did his death take place, and what did he achieve after his death?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Precious Time in Saintly Association

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit was highly intelligent, devoted to the Lord and a protector of helpless citizens. His unjust cursing showed the beginning influence of the Age of Kali.

  2. 2

    Although protected by Viṣṇu, he did not ask the Lord to counteract the curse. A pure devotee never asks the Lord for any undue favor.

  3. 3

    He prepared to meet death cheerfully and properly. He used his remaining seven days in the association of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, a great saint and devotee of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit was saved by the Lord in the womb of his mother, so he could certainly be saved from an untimely death due to the ill will of the son of a brāhmaṇa.
  • Unfortunately, by the instigation of the fallen Age of Kali, an unfortunate brāhmaṇa’s son was employed to condemn the innocent Mahārāja Parīkṣit, and so the King had to prepare himself for death within seven days.
  • Being fortunate, he got at least seven days to prepare himself to meet death, and so he properly utilized the time in the association of Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the great saint and devotee of the Lord.

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 (of Mahārāja Parīkṣit)
  2. janmabirth
  3. mahā-buddheḥof great intelligence
  4. karmāṇiactivities
  5. caalso
  6. mahā-ātmanaḥof the great devotee
  7. nidhanamdemise
  8. caalso
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “emperor”, “citizens”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “death”

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 could you use your available time more seriously for spiritual preparation?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to hear instruction from a devotee of the Lord without distractions.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Precious Time in Saintly AssociationThis 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 1.12.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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