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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
1.17.43-441.18.1

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.17.45

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.17.38inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

इत्थम्भूतानुभावोऽयमभिमन्युसुतो नृप: ।

यस्य पालयत: क्षौणीं यूयं सत्राय दीक्षिता: ॥ ४५ ॥

ittham-bhūtānubhāvo ’yam

abhimanyu-suto nṛpaḥ

yasya pālayataḥ kṣauṇīṁ

yūyaṁ satrāya dīkṣitāḥ

Translation

Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the son of Abhimanyu, is so experienced that by dint of his expert administration and patronage, it has been possible for you to perform a sacrifice such as this.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Cooperate to Support Spiritual Advancement

  1. 1

    The brāhmaṇas and sannyāsīs guide society’s spiritual advancement, while the kṣatriyas or administrators provide material peace and prosperity. They are meant to cooperate fully for the common welfare.

  2. 2

    Austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness prepare people to receive spiritual knowledge. Mahārāja Parīkṣit established these favorable conditions by driving Kali away from his field of activities.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s expert administration and patronage enabled the sages to perform their sacrifice. The purport emphasizes that state support and cooperation between spiritual guides and administrators are necessary for religious principles to advance.

Key points from the purport
  • The brāhmaṇas and the sannyāsīs are expert in the spiritual advancement of society, whereas the kṣatriyas or the administrators are expert in the material peace and prosperity of human society.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit was experienced enough to drive away Kali from his field of activities and thereby make the state receptive to spiritual enlightenment.
  • Austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, the basic principles of religion, prepare the ground for the reception of advancement in spiritual knowledge, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit made this favorable condition possible.

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. ittham-bhūtabeing thus
  2. anubhāvaḥexperience
  3. ayamof this
  4. abhimanyu-sutaḥson of Abhimanyu
  5. nṛpaḥthe king
  6. yasyawhose
  7. pālayataḥon account of his ruling
  8. kṣauṇīmon the earth
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: “administration”, “administrators”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

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

    In this verse: “religious”, “principles”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.17

    In this verse: “mercy”, “favorable”

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 help create conditions that make spiritual learning easier for others?

Practice

Help clean a place used for spiritual study or worship today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayCooperate to Support Spiritual AdvancementThis 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 1.17.45? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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