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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
1.18.271.18.29

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.28

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.18inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अलब्धतृणभूम्यादिरसम्प्राप्तार्घ्यसूनृत: ।

अवज्ञातमिवात्मानं मन्यमानश्चुकोप ह ॥ २८ ॥

alabdha-tṛṇa-bhūmy-ādir

asamprāptārghya-sūnṛtaḥ

avajñātam ivātmānaṁ

manyamānaś cukopa ha

Translation

The King, not received by any formal welcome by means of being offered a seat, place, water and sweet addresses, considered himself neglected, and so thinking he became angry.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Hospitality and Trust in the Lord’s Guidance

  1. 1

    Vedic principles teach that even an enemy should receive respectful hospitality. A seat, drinking water and sweet words are simple expressions of good manners, even for someone with little wealth.

  2. 2

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit did not expect a royal welcome, but the absence of basic hospitality made him feel neglected and angry. Although his anger was understandable, it was astonishing in such a saintly devotee.

  3. 3

    The Lord arranged these circumstances to draw the King away from worldly attachments toward complete surrender to Lord Kṛṣṇa. Pure devotees accept even frustration as a blessing, knowing the Lord remains their protector and guide.

Key points from the purport
  • When Lord Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Arjuna and Bhīma, approached Jarāsandha in Magadha, the respectable enemies were given a royal reception by King Jarāsandha.
  • He was not an ordinary guest, nor was he an enemy of the ṛṣi, and therefore the cold reception by the ṛṣi astonished the King greatly.
  • The pure devotees, therefore, accept all conditions of frustration as blessings from 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. alabdhahaving not received
  2. tṛṇaseat of straw
  3. bhūmiplace
  4. ādiḥand so on
  5. asamprāptanot properly received
  6. arghyawater for reception
  7. sūnṛtaḥsweet words
  8. avajñātamthus being neglected
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “attachments”, “wealth”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “king”

  • Prema · Transcendental love

    The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “sweet”

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 offer others a respectful welcome while remembering the Lord’s guidance in my own frustrations?

Practice

Welcome someone today with kind words and, if possible, offer a seat and a glass of water.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

6

Connected stories

Keep going: stories told elsewhere in the Bhāgavatam that this verse or its purport brings in.

Found where this verse or Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport names them. See all of chapter 1.18's connections

Live this todayHospitality and Trust in the Lord’s GuidanceThis 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 1.18.28? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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