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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
1.12.261.12.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.27

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The learned brāhmaṇassince 1.12.19inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तक्षकादात्मनो मृत्युं द्विजपुत्रोपसर्जितात् ।

प्रपत्स्यत उपश्रुत्य मुक्तसङ्ग: पदं हरे: ॥ २७ ॥

takṣakād ātmano mṛtyuṁ

dvija-putropasarjitāt

prapatsyata upaśrutya

mukta-saṅgaḥ padaṁ hareḥ

Translation

After hearing about his death, which will be caused by the bite of a snakebird sent by a son of a brāhmaṇa, he will get himself freed from all material attachment and surrender unto the Personality of Godhead, taking shelter of Him.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Turn Life’s Warning Into Devotional Opportunity

  1. 1

    Material attachment and shelter at the Lord’s lotus feet go ill together. Attachment means ignorance of the spiritual happiness found under His shelter.

  2. 2

    Devotional service allows us to practice our eternal relationship with the Lord while living in this world. When that service matures, material attachment falls away and one becomes fit to return to Godhead.

  3. 3

    Parīkṣit accepted the warning of death as an opportunity rather than seeking to avoid it. He heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam continuously for seven days from the right source and took shelter of the Lord.

Key points from the purport
  • Material attachment and taking shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord go ill together.
  • Material attachment means ignorance of transcendental happiness under the shelter of the Lord.
  • For seven days continuously he heard Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from the right source, and thus he got shelter at the lotus feet of the Lord by that opportunity.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. takṣakātby the snakebird
  2. ātmanaḥof his personal self
  3. mṛtyumdeath
  4. dvija-putrathe son of a brāhmaṇa
  5. upasarjitātbeing sent by
  6. prapatsyatehaving taken shelter of
  7. upaśrutyaafter hearing
  8. mukta-saṅgaḥfreed from all attachment
  9. padamposition
  10. hareḥof the Lord
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “surrender”, “shelter”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”, “heard”

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 I use a present difficulty as an opportunity to take deeper shelter of the Lord?

Practice

Spend five minutes today hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a trustworthy devotional source.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTurn Life’s Warning Into Devotional OpportunityThis 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 1.12.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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