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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 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali
1.17.10-111.17.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

कोऽवृश्चत् तव पादांस्त्रीन् सौरभेय चतुष्पद ।

मा भूवंस्त्वाद‍ृशा राष्ट्रे राज्ञां कृष्णानुवर्तिनाम् ॥ १२ ॥

ko ’vṛścat tava pādāṁs trīn

saurabheya catuṣ-pada

mā bhūvaṁs tvādṛśā rāṣṭre

rājñāṁ kṛṣṇānuvartinām

Translation

He [Mahārāja Parīkṣit] repeatedly addressed and questioned the bull thus: O son of Surabhi, who has cut off your three legs? In the state of the kings who are obedient to the laws of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, there is no one as unhappy as you.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Follow Kṛṣṇa’s Codes for True Welfare

  1. 1

    Leaders must know and follow the codes of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. These guide human life toward ending the miseries of material conditions.

  2. 2

    Bhagavad-gītā presents the codes of Godhead in brief, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam explains them further.

  3. 3

    Where Kṛṣṇa’s codes are followed, no one is unhappy. Neglect of these codes weakens religion and brings miseries.

Key points from the purport
  • The kings or the executive heads of all states must know the codes of Lord Kṛṣṇa (generally Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam) and must act accordingly in order to fulfill the mission of human life, which is to make an end to all miseries of material conditions.
  • In a state where the codes of Kṛṣṇa are followed, no one is unhappy.
  • When Kṛṣṇa was personally present, the codes of Kṛṣṇa were being followed without question, but in His absence such codes are presented in the pages of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for the guidance of the blind persons who happen to be at the helm of all affairs.

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

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 17: Punishment and Reward of Kali

Parīkṣit protects a cow and bull from abuse and restricts Kali to five places.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.17
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. kaḥwho is he
  2. avṛścatcut off
  3. tavayour
  4. pādānlegs
  5. trīnthree
  6. saurabheyaO son of Surabhi
  7. catuḥ-padayou are four-legged
  8. mānever to be
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “kings”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “religion”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “material”

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 much do I let Kṛṣṇa’s teachings guide my choices?

Practice

Reread this translation and identify one way to let Kṛṣṇa’s guidance shape a decision today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFollow Kṛṣṇa’s Codes for True WelfareThis 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 1.17.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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