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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
1.17.291.17.31

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.30

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 1.17.22inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

पतितं पादयोर्वीर: कृपया

दीनवत्सल: ।

शरण्यो

नावधीच्छ्‍लोक्य आह चेदं हसन्निव ॥ ३० ॥

patitaṁ pādayor vīraḥ

kṛpayā dīna-vatsalaḥ

śaraṇyo nāvadhīc chlokya

āha cedaṁ hasann iva

Translation

Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was qualified to accept surrender and worthy of being sung in history, did not kill the poor surrendered and fallen Kali, but smiled compassionately, for he was kind to the poor.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Strength Joined With Compassion

  1. 1

    Even an ordinary kṣatriya does not kill someone who has surrendered. Mahārāja Parīkṣit spared the fallen Kali.

  2. 2

    The King was naturally compassionate and kind to the poor. He was worthy of accepting surrender even from an enemy.

  3. 3

    Kali’s timely surrender saved him from the King’s sword by the will of providence. Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s kindness and glory are therefore remembered in history.

Key points from the purport
  • Even an ordinary kṣatriya does not kill a surrendered person, and what to speak of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was by nature compassionate and kind to the poor.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s glory and kindness are therefore sung in history.
  • Thus the personality of Kali was saved by the will of providence.

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. patitamfallen
  2. pādayoḥat the feet
  3. vīraḥthe hero
  4. kṛpayāout of compassion
  5. dīna-vatsalaḥkind to the poor
  6. śaraṇyaḥone who is qualified to accept surrender
  7. nanot
  8. avadhītdid kill
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

  • Karuṇā · Compassion

    Concern for others expressed through bhakti. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “compassionately”, “compassionate”, “kindness”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “surrender”, “surrendered”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “king”

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 do I respond when someone who opposed me becomes humble and asks for mercy?

Practice

If someone sincerely admits a fault today, respond gently rather than humiliate them.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayStrength Joined With CompassionThis 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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