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
1.18.24-251.18.27

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.26

Mukti· Liberation
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

प्रतिरुद्धेन्द्रियप्राणमनोबुद्धिमुपारतम् ।

स्थानत्रयात्परं प्राप्तं ब्रह्मभूतमविक्रियम् ॥ २६ ॥

pratiruddhendriya-prāṇa-

mano-buddhim upāratam

sthāna-trayāt paraṁ prāptaṁ

brahma-bhūtam avikriyam

Translation

The muni’s sense organs, breath, mind and intelligence were all restrained from material activities, and he was situated in a trance apart from the three [wakefulness, dream and unconsciousness], having achieved a transcendental position qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Actively Engages the Soul

  1. 1

    The sage’s senses, breath, mind and intelligence were restrained from material activities. His trance was beyond wakefulness, dream and unconsciousness, in a position qualitatively equal with the Supreme Absolute.

  2. 2

    The purport describes jñāna, yoga and bhakti-yoga as three processes for attaining transcendence. It identifies bhakti-yoga, engaging the senses in the Lord’s devotional service, as the most approved process.

  3. 3

    Influenced by the three qualities of matter, we forget our real identity as spirit souls. Whereas jñāna considers the soul theoretically, bhakti-yoga factually engages the soul in activities.

Key points from the purport
  • Our material mind and body develop from the living entity, the soul, and being influenced by the three qualities of matter, we forget our real identity.
  • The senses are transcended to the subtler mind, and then to breathing activities and gradually to intelligence.
  • Beyond the intelligence, the living soul is realized by the mechanical activities of the yoga system, or practice of meditation restraining the senses, regulating the breathing system and applying intelligence to rise to the transcendental position.

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. pratiruddharestrained
  2. indriyathe sense organs
  3. prāṇaair of respiration
  4. manaḥthe mind
  5. buddhimintelligence
  6. upārataminactive
  7. sthānaplaces
  8. trayātfrom the three
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “bhakti-yoga”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “material”

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 move from merely thinking about spiritual life to actively serving the Lord?

Practice

Engage your mind and voice in one brief, attentive prayer to the Lord today.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Actively Engages the SoulThis 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 1.18.26? 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