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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
1.12.201.12.22

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.21

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The learned brāhmaṇassince 1.12.19inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

धन्विनामग्रणीरेष तुल्यश्चार्जुनयोर्द्वयो: ।

हुताश इव दुर्धर्ष: समुद्र इव दुस्तर: ॥ २१ ॥

dhanvinām agraṇīr eṣa

tulyaś cārjunayor dvayoḥ

hutāśa iva durdharṣaḥ

samudra iva dustaraḥ

Translation

Amongst great bowmen, this child will be as good as Arjuna. He will be as irresistible as fire and as unsurpassable as the ocean.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Excellence Grows Through Disciplined Practice

  1. 1

    Parīkṣit was foretold to equal both famous Arjunas in bowmanship, particularly in fighting. He would be as irresistible as fire and as unsurpassable as the ocean.

  2. 2

    The Pāṇḍava Arjuna excelled through intense study and affectionate discipline toward Droṇācārya. His teacher gladly bestowed the blessings of military science upon him.

  3. 3

    Arjuna was so eager to learn that he practiced bowmanship even at night. His dedication pleased Droṇācārya, who was determined to make him the world’s foremost bowman.

Key points from the purport
  • Arjuna is therefore a plenary part of the heavenly king Indra.
  • Mahārāja Drupada was inimical toward Droṇācārya, and thus when he attacked the Ācārya, Arjuna got him arrested and brought him before Droṇācārya.
  • After the disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the message was brought by Arjuna to Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira.

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. dhanvināmof the great bowmen
  2. agraṇīḥthe foreman
  3. eṣaḥthis child
  4. tulyaḥequally good
  5. caand
  6. arjunayoḥof the Arjunas
  7. dvayoḥof the two
  8. hutāśaḥfire
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

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

    In this verse: “child”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “blessings”

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

What can I learn from Arjuna’s eagerness, discipline and respect for his teacher?

Practice

Set aside five uninterrupted minutes today to carefully review something you have been taught.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.12's connections

Live this todayExcellence Grows Through Disciplined PracticeThis 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 1.12.21? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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