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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.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 1 · Chapter 16: How Parīkṣit Received the Age of Kali
1.16.191.16.21

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.16.20

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.16.10inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

पादैर्न्यूनं शोचसि मैकपाद-

मात्मानं वा वृषलैर्भोक्ष्यमाणम् ।

आहो सुरादीन् हृतयज्ञभागान्

प्रजा उत स्विन्मघवत्यवर्षति ॥ २० ॥

pādair nyūnaṁ śocasi maika-pādam

ātmānaṁ vā vṛṣalair bhokṣyamāṇam

āho surādīn hṛta-yajña-bhāgān

prajā uta svin maghavaty avarṣati

Translation

I have lost my three legs and am now standing on one only. Are you lamenting for my state of existence? Or are you in great anxiety because henceforward the unlawful meat-eaters will exploit you? Or are you in a sorry plight because the demigods are now bereft of their share of sacrificial offerings because no sacrifices are being performed at present? Or are you grieving for living beings because of their sufferings due to famine and drought?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

A Life of Sacrifice Amid Decline

  1. 1

    In the Age of Kali, duration of life, mercy, recollection, and religious principles gradually diminish. As irreligion increases, animals suffer greatly, especially through the exploitation of bulls and cows.

  2. 2

    Spiritual qualifications depend on one’s efforts, association, and relationship with the Supreme Lord—not on birth or community. The prescribed sacrifices help turn living beings toward the Lord.

  3. 3

    The very life of one consciously engaged in devotional service is a sacrifice. Lord Caitanya recommended saṅkīrtana-yajña, the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, in which everyone can take part.

Key points from the purport
  • After sufficient rains fall, there is sufficient production of grains for men and all animals, and thus there is energy in the living being for progressive activity.
  • For the devotees there is no need for performance of prescribed sacrifices because the very life of the devotee is a symbol of sacrifice.
  • But persons who are engaged in fruitive activities for sense enjoyment must perform the prescribed sacrifices because that is the only means to get free from the reaction of all sins committed by fruitive workers.

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· 1

The purport of SB 1.16.20 quotesBG 3.14

In the Bhagavad-gītā (3.14-16)performance of sacrifices is strongly recommended.

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

Moral alarm → Resolve. The king's duty is tested in a deteriorating age.

Chapters 16–17 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit confronts Kali. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 16: How Parīkṣit Received the Age of Kali

Parīkṣit rules as a devotee while the personality of religion and mother earth discuss their distress.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.16
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. pādaiḥby three legs
  2. nyūnamdiminished
  3. śocasiif you are lamenting for that
  4. māmy
  5. eka-pādamonly one leg
  6. ātmānamown body
  7. vāor
  8. vṛṣalaiḥby the unlawful meat-eaters
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.16

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.16

    In this verse: “sufferings”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.16

    In this verse: “lamenting”

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 make my daily life more a life of service and less a pursuit of sense enjoyment?

Practice

Set aside two minutes today to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa attentively.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks

His recorded lectures on this verse, and the talks where he quotes it.

2 lectures given on it · quoted in 1 more lecture. Recordings and transcripts on prabhupada.io.

Quoted in 1 other lecture

In each of these he quotes this verse while speaking on another verse or subject. "Find the quote" opens the transcript at that spot.

Live this todayA Life of Sacrifice Amid DeclineThis 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 1.16.20? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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