1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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 18: Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy
1.18.91.18.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

या या: कथा भगवत: कथनीयोरुकर्मण: ।

गुणकर्माश्रया: पुम्भि: संसेव्यास्ता

बुभूषुभि: ॥ १० ॥

yā yāḥ kathā bhagavataḥ

kathanīyoru-karmaṇaḥ

guṇa-karmāśrayāḥ pumbhiḥ

saṁsevyās tā bubhūṣubhiḥ

Translation

Those who are desirous of achieving complete perfection in life must submissively hear all topics that are connected with the transcendental activities and qualities of the Personality of Godhead, who acts wonderfully.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Systematic Hearing Leads Toward Eternal Life

  1. 1

    Those seeking complete perfection should submissively hear topics about the Personality of Godhead’s transcendental activities and qualities.

  2. 2

    Systematic hearing of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s activities, qualities and names means gradually knowing Him in truth and fact. Such hearing leads toward eternal life.

  3. 3

    These glorified activities are the prescribed remedy for birth, death, old age and disease. The goal of human life is this perfection and the attainment of transcendental bliss.

Key points from the purport
  • The systematic hearing of the transcendental activities, qualities and names of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa pushes one towards eternal life.
  • Systematic hearing means knowing Him gradually in truth and fact, and this knowing Him in truth and fact means attaining eternal life, as stated in the Bhagavad-gītā.
  • The culmination of such a perfectional stage of life is the goal of human life and the attainment of transcendental bliss.

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

Remorse and urgency → Surrender and inquiry. Seven days to live become the impetus for complete spiritual hearing.

Chapters 18–19 of Canto 1: Parīkṣit is cursed and welcomes Śukadeva. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 18: Mahārāja Parīkṣit Cursed by a Brāhmaṇa Boy

A sage’s son curses Parīkṣit, but his father condemns the punishment of the saintly king.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.18
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. yāḥwhatever
  2. yāḥand whatsoever
  3. kathāḥtopics
  4. bhagavataḥabout the Personality of Godhead
  5. kathanīyawere to be spoken by me
  6. uru-karmaṇaḥof Him who acts wonderfully
  7. guṇatranscendental qualities
  8. karmauncommon deeds
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “hearing”, “glorified”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “death”

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

What small change would make your hearing about Lord Kṛṣṇa more regular and attentive?

Practice

Choose a fixed time today for five minutes of attentive study of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySystematic Hearing Leads Toward Eternal LifeThis 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 1.18.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories