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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
1.12.271.12.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.28

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

जिज्ञासितात्मयाथार्थ्यो मुनेर्व्याससुतादसौ ।

हित्वेदं नृप गङ्गायां यास्यत्यद्धाकुतोभयम् ॥ २८ ॥

jijñāsitātma-yāthārthyo

muner vyāsa-sutād asau

hitvedaṁ nṛpa gaṅgāyāṁ

yāsyaty addhākutobhayam

Translation

After inquiring about proper self-knowledge from the son of Vyāsadeva, who will be a great philosopher, he will renounce all material attachment and achieve a life of fearlessness.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

True Self-Knowledge Leads to Fearlessness

  1. 1

    True philosophy seeks knowledge of one’s own self; without self-realization, it is dry speculation. Hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam gives self-knowledge and frees one from material attachment.

  2. 2

    Material life is filled with anxiety, and liberation means relief from these constant anxieties. This becomes possible when our concern is directed toward devotional service of the Lord.

  3. 3

    Parīkṣit achieved the desired result through association with the self-realized Śukadeva Gosvāmī. The purport warns against imitative recitations undertaken to maintain material enjoyment.

Key points from the purport
  • Philosophy means to seek after the right knowledge of one’s own self, or the knowledge of self-realization.
  • Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam gives the right knowledge of one’s own self, and by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam one can get free from material attachment and enter into the kingdom of fearlessness.
  • There is a sort of imitation of this reciting and hearing of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam by professional men, and their foolish audience thinks that they will get free from the clutches of material attachment and attain the life of fearlessness.

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. jijñāsitahaving inquired of
  2. ātma-yāthārthyaḥright knowledge of one’s own self
  3. muneḥfrom the learned philosopher
  4. vyāsa-sutātthe son of Vyāsa
  5. asauhe
  6. hitvāquitting
  7. idamthis material attachment
  8. nṛpaO King
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

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

    Inquiry, revelation and discrimination between self and matter. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “inquiring”, “philosopher”, “knowledge”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachment”, “material”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “hearing”, “recitations”

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 I redirect one material worry toward sincere devotional service?

Practice

Read one passage of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its purport today, seeking self-knowledge rather than entertainment.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTrue Self-Knowledge Leads to FearlessnessThis 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 1.12.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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