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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
1.12.21.12.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.3

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.12.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तदिदं श्रोतुमिच्छामो गदितुं यदि मन्यसे ।

ब्रूहि न: श्रद्दधानानां यस्य ज्ञानमदाच्छुक: ॥ ३ ॥

tad idaṁ śrotum icchāmo

gadituṁ yadi manyase

brūhi naḥ śraddadhānānāṁ

yasya jñānam adāc chukaḥ

Translation

We all respectfully want to hear about him [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] to whom Śukadeva Gosvāmī imparted transcendental knowledge. Please speak on this matter.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Sincere Hearing Brings Transcendental Knowledge

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī recited Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in devotion, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit listened like an ardent student. Both the speaker and the hearer benefited.

  2. 2

    Even one of the nine processes of devotional service is beneficial when properly performed. Serious hearing and chanting brought success to Mahārāja Parīkṣit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

  3. 3

    Transcendental knowledge comes through ardent hearing from a bona fide spiritual master, not through supposed electrical shocks or occult displays. The process is simple, but sincerity is necessary.

Key points from the purport
  • Śukadeva Gosvāmī imparted transcendental knowledge to Mahārāja Parīkṣit during the remaining seven days of his life, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit heard him properly, just like an ardent student.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit and Śukadeva Gosvāmī were serious performers of the first two important items, namely the process of chanting and the process of hearing, and therefore both of them were successful in their laudable attempt.
  • The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya were very respectful in hearing about Mahārāja Parīkṣit because of his receiving knowledge from Śukadeva Gosvāmī by means of ardent hearing.

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. tatall
  2. idamthis
  3. śrotumto hear
  4. icchāmaḥall willing
  5. gaditumto narrate
  6. yadiif
  7. manyaseyou think
  8. brūhiplease speak
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

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

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

    In this verse: “chanting”, “hearing”, “recited”

  • Jñāna · Spiritual insight

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

    In this verse: “knowledge”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

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

Am I seeking sincere understanding through hearing, or expecting a spectacular experience?

Practice

Listen attentively to a short passage of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from a bona fide teacher, then recall one teaching.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySincere Hearing Brings Transcendental KnowledgeThis 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 1.12.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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