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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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 13: Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits Home
1.13.331.13.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.13.34

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 1.13.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

पितर्युपरते पाण्डौ सर्वान्न: सुहृद: शिशून् ।

अरक्षतां व्यसनत: पितृव्यौ क्‍व गतावित: ॥ ३४ ॥

pitary uparate pāṇḍau

sarvān naḥ suhṛdaḥ śiśūn

arakṣatāṁ vyasanataḥ

pitṛvyau kva gatāv itaḥ

Translation

When my father, Pāṇḍu, fell down and we were all small children, these two uncles gave us protection from all kinds of calamities. They were always our good well-wishers. Alas, where have they gone from here?

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Remember Those Who Protected You

  1. 1

    Yudhiṣṭhira recalled that he and his brothers were small children when their father, Pāṇḍu, died.

  2. 2

    He remembered that his two uncles had protected them from many dangers and had been their well-wishers.

  3. 3

    Remembering their care, he lamented their absence and asked where they had gone.

How it feels

Bereavement → Renunciation. The worldly support system recedes and attachment is exposed.

Chapters 13–15 of Canto 1: Dhṛtarāṣṭra departs; Kṛṣṇa disappears; Pāṇḍavas retire. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 13: Dhṛtarāṣṭra Quits Home

Vidura warns of inevitable death; Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves home, and Yudhiṣṭhira finds his elders absent.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.13
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pitariupon my father
  2. uparatefalling down
  3. pāṇḍauMahārāja Pāṇḍu
  4. sarvānall
  5. naḥof us
  6. suhṛdaḥwell-wishers
  7. śiśūnsmall children
  8. arakṣatāmprotected
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “father”, “children”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “protection”, “protected”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.13

    In this verse: “lamented”, “absence”

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

Whose care and protection have helped me through a vulnerable time?

Practice

Thank one person who has protected or supported you, mentioning a specific kindness.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayRemember Those Who Protected YouThis 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 1.13.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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