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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.
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Canto 1 · Chapter 12: Birth of Emperor Parīkṣit
1.12.281.12.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.29

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

इति राज्ञ उपादिश्य विप्रा जातककोविदा: ।

लब्धापचितय: सर्वे प्रतिजग्मु: स्वकान् गृहान् ॥ २९ ॥

iti rājña upādiśya

viprā jātaka-kovidāḥ

labdhāpacitayaḥ sarve

pratijagmuḥ svakān gṛhān

Translation

Thus those who were expert in astrological knowledge and in performance of the birth ceremony instructed King Yudhiṣṭhira about the future history of his child. Then, being sumptuously remunerated, they all returned to their respective homes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Vedic Knowledge Culminates in Devotional Service

  1. 1

    The Vedas guide both material and spiritual life, but their aim is perfection in self-realization. Human life is an opportunity to become free from material miseries.

  2. 2

    The vipras guide society in material necessities, while the brāhmaṇas specialize in spiritual knowledge. The culmination of worship is devotional service to Lord Viṣṇu, and perfected brāhmaṇas are called Vaiṣṇavas.

  3. 3

    Yudhiṣṭhira generously rewarded the experts who described the child's future. Supporting such teachers allowed their knowledge and services to be available freely to everyone.

Key points from the purport
  • The Vedas are the storehouse of knowledge, both material and spiritual.
  • The specific intelligent class of men who were devoted particularly to the knowledge of the Vedas were called the vipras, or the graduates of the Vedic knowledge.
  • Such expert vipras, being sufficiently paid by the state, could give free service to the people in general, and thus this department of Vedic knowledge could be available for all.

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. itithus
  2. rājñeunto the King
  3. upādiśyahaving advised
  4. viprāḥpersons well versed in the Vedas
  5. jātaka-kovidāḥpersons expert in astrology and in the performance of birth ceremonies
  6. labdha-apacitayaḥthose who had received sumptuously as remuneration
  7. sarveall of them
  8. pratijagmuḥwent back
  9. svakāntheir own
  10. gṛhānhouses
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”, “child's”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “worship”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “king”

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 my learning lead beyond material needs toward devotional service?

Practice

Read a short passage of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today and note how it guides you toward serving the Lord.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayVedic Knowledge Culminates 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 1.12.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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