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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.12.24 1.12.26

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.25

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

धृत्या बलिसम: कृष्णे प्रह्राद इव सद्ग्रह: ।

आहर्तैषोऽश्वमेधानां वृद्धानां पर्युपासक: ॥ २५ ॥

dhṛtyā bali-samaḥ kṛṣṇe

prahrāda iva sad-grahaḥ

āhartaiṣo ’śvamedhānāṁ

vṛddhānāṁ paryupāsakaḥ

Translation

This child will be like Bali Mahārāja in patience, a staunch devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa like Prahlāda Mahārāja, a performer of many aśvamedha [horse] sacrifices and a follower of the old and experienced men.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remain Steadfast in Devotional Service

1
Bali Mahārāja sacrificed everything to please the Lord. His determination to serve despite obstruction makes him a great authority in devotional service.
2
The highest perfection of religious life is devotional service without selfish motive or obstruction by worldly obligations. The Lord’s satisfaction is its purpose.
3
Prahlāda Mahārāja remained an unalloyed devotee despite severe chastisement from his father. Parīkṣit would likewise be a staunch devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa and a follower of old and experienced men.

Key points from the purport

Bali Mahārāja: One of the twelve authorities in the devotional service of the Lord.
He is the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja, another authority in the devotional service of the Lord.
Prahlāda Mahārāja: A perfect devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa (Viṣṇu).

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

dhṛtyāby patience
bali-samaḥlike Bali Mahārāja
kṛṣṇeunto Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa
prahrādaPrahlāda Mahārāja
ivalike
sat-grahaḥdevotee of
āhartāperformer
eṣaḥthis child

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
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.12
In this verse: “devotee”, “devotional service”
Vātsalya · Parental affection
Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.12
In this verse: “child”, “father”
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.12
In this verse: “religious”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What desire for personal reward weakens my determination to serve the Lord?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes for devotional service today without asking for anything in return.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

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 todayRemain Steadfast in Devotional 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 1.12.25? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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