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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
  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
1.18.11.18.3

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.2

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

ब्रह्मकोपोत्थिताद् यस्तु तक्षकात्प्राणविप्लवात् ।

न

सम्मुमोहोरुभयाद् भगवत्यर्पिताशय: ॥ २ ॥

brahma-kopotthitād yas tu

takṣakāt prāṇa-viplavāt

na sammumohorubhayād

bhagavaty arpitāśayaḥ

Translation

Furthermore, Mahārāja Parīkṣit was always consciously surrendered to the Personality of Godhead, and therefore he was neither afraid nor overwhelmed by fear due to a snake-bird which was to bite him because of the fury of a brāhmaṇa boy.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Surrender Brings Fearlessness

  1. 1

    A surrendered devotee is called nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa. Nothing is more important to such a devotee than the Supreme Lord, not even life or death.

  2. 2

    Remembrance of Nārāyaṇa is essential in every condition and circumstance. The surrendered devotee practices this constantly.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit accepted the wrongful curse as sent by Nārāyaṇa, Lord Kṛṣṇa. Seeing whatever the Lord sent as a blessing, he was neither afraid nor bewildered.

Key points from the purport
  • A self-surrendered devotee of the Lord is called nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa.
  • Therefore Mahārāja Parīkṣit was neither afraid of nor bewildered by such things.
  • That is the sign of a pure devotee 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

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
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. brahma-kopafury of a brāhmaṇa
  2. utthitātcaused by
  3. yaḥwhat was
  4. tubut
  5. takṣakātby the snake-bird
  6. prāṇa-viplavātfrom dissolution of life
  7. nanever
  8. sammumohawas overwhelmed
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Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “afraid”, “death”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “surrendered”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “devotee”

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 might remembering the Lord help you face an uncertain situation?

Practice

Take one quiet minute today to remember Lord Kṛṣṇa amid a worry.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySurrender Brings FearlessnessThis 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 1.18.2? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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