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

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Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.18.18 1.18.20

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.19

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

कुत: पुनर्गृणतो नाम तस्य

महत्तमैकान्तपरायणस्य ।

योऽनन्तशक्तिर्भगवाननन्तो

महद्गुणत्वाद् यमनन्तमाहु: ॥ १९ ॥

kutaḥ punar gṛṇato nāma tasya

mahattamaikānta-parāyaṇasya

yo ’nanta-śaktir bhagavān ananto

mahad-guṇatvād yam anantam āhuḥ

Translation

And what to speak of those who are under the direction of the great devotees, chanting the holy name of the Unlimited, who has unlimited potency? The Personality of Godhead, unlimited in potency and transcendental by attributes, is called Ananta [Unlimited].

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Holy Name Has Unlimited Power

1
The Lord is called Ananta because His potency and transcendental attributes are unlimited. His holy name and He Himself are identical and equally powerful.
2
Chanting under the direction of a pure devotee is offenseless chanting. Such chanting can at once purify one from the effects of previous sins.
3
Birth in a lower caste cannot stand in the way of this purification. Offenseless chanting shows understanding of the holy name’s transcendental nature and surrender unto the Lord.

Key points from the purport

To chant the holy name under the direction of a pure devotee is offenseless chanting.
The holy name of the Lord is as powerful as the Lord.
The Lord’s unlimited power is extended on and on by the unlimited expansion of the devotees and incarnations, and thus every devotee of the Lord and incarnations also can be equally surcharged with the potency of the Lord.

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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

kutaḥwhat to say
punaḥagain
gṛṇataḥone who chants
nāmaholy name
tasyaHis
mahat-tamagreat devotees
ekāntaexclusive
parāyaṇasyaof one who takes shelter of

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: “chanting”, “holy name”
Bhakti · Devotion and loving service
How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.18
In this verse: “devotees”, “devotee”
Śuddhi · Inner transformation
The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.18
In this verse: “purify”, “sins”

Chapter themes come from the story phase this chapter belongs to.

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I approach chanting with greater surrender and willingness to receive a pure devotee’s guidance?

Practice

Spend a few moments chanting the Lord’s holy name, remembering that His name is nondifferent from Him.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Holy Name Has Unlimited PowerThis 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 1.18.19? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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