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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
1.12.41.12.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.12.5

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.12.4inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सम्पद: क्रतवो लोका महिषी भ्रातरो मही ।

जम्बूद्वीपाधिपत्यं च यशश्च त्रिदिवं गतम् ॥ ५ ॥

sampadaḥ kratavo lokā

mahiṣī bhrātaro mahī

jambudvīpādhipatyaṁ ca

yaśaś ca tri-divaṁ gatam

Translation

News even reached the celestial planets about Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s worldly possessions, the sacrifices by which he would attain a better destination, his queen, his stalwart brothers, his extensive land, his sovereignty over the planet earth, his fame, etc.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Higher Destinations Require Genuine Qualification

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s fame reached the celestial planets. His good administration, possessions, family and sovereignty were widely known.

  2. 2

    One reaches higher destinations according to one’s work in this life. Entrance cannot be forced through material vehicles; one must become qualified through sacrifice and service.

  3. 3

    Yudhiṣṭhira’s sacrifices and qualifications were so lofty and virtuous that residents of the higher celestial planets were ready to receive him. His example emphasizes qualification rather than forceful entry.

Key points from the purport
  • Only a rich and great man’s name and fame are known all over the world, and the name and fame of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira reached the higher planets because of his good administration, worldly possessions, glorious wife Draupadī, the strength of his brothers Bhīma and Arjuna, and his solid sovereign power over the world, known as Jambudvīpa.
  • There are different lokas or higher planets scattered all over the sky, both material and spiritual.
  • Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s good sacrifices and qualifications were so lofty and virtuous that even the residents of the higher celestial planets were already prepared to receive him as one of them.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

Connected verses· 2

The purport of SB 1.12.5 quotesBG 9.25

A person can reach them by dint of his work in the present life, as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (9.25).

The purport of SB 1.12.5 quotesBG 16.19

Those who are sinful in every step of life can expect only to be degraded into animal life to suffer more and more the pangs of material existence, and this is also stated in Bhagavad-gītā (16.19).

Each link is a verse the purport itself quotes, or a purport elsewhere that quotes this verse, shown with the purport's own words.

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. sampadaḥopulence
  2. kratavaḥsacrifices
  3. lokāḥfuture destination
  4. mahiṣīthe queens
  5. bhrātaraḥthe brothers
  6. mahīthe earth
  7. jambu-dvīpathe globe or planet of our residence
  8. ādhipatyamsovereignty
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

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “material”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.12

    In this verse: “administration”

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 paying more attention to outward achievement or to the quality of my actions?

Practice

Choose one opportunity today to serve rather than seek recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHigher Destinations Require Genuine QualificationThis 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.

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