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

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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
1.18.371.18.39

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.38

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇa’s son, Śṛṅgisince 1.18.33inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

ततोऽभ्येत्याश्रमं बालो गले सर्पकलेवरम् ।

पितरं वीक्ष्य दु:खार्तो मुक्तकण्ठो रुरोद ह ॥ ३८ ॥

tato ’bhyetyāśramaṁ bālo

gale sarpa-kalevaram

pitaraṁ vīkṣya duḥkhārto

mukta-kaṇṭho ruroda ha

Translation

Thereafter, when the boy returned to the hermitage, he saw a snake on his father’s shoulder, and out of his grief he cried very loudly.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Tears Cannot Undo a Great Mistake

  1. 1

    Returning to the hermitage, the boy saw the snake on his father’s shoulder and cried loudly in grief.

  2. 2

    He was unhappy because he had committed a great mistake. He cried to relieve the burden on his heart.

  3. 3

    By then it was too late, and his father regretted the whole incident. The boy’s tears did not undo what had happened.

Key points from the purport
  • The boy was not happy because he committed a great mistake, and he wanted to be relieved of the burden on his heart by crying.
  • So after entering the hermitage and seeing his father in that condition, he cried loudly so that he might be relieved.

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. tataḥthereafter
  2. abhyetyaafter entering into
  3. āśramamthe hermitage
  4. bālaḥboy
  5. gale sarpathe snake on the shoulder
  6. kalevarambody
  7. pitaramunto the father
  8. vīkṣyahaving seen
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

  • Vātsalya · Parental affection

    Affection and protective concern for the Lord as a child. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “father’s”

  • Viraha · Longing in separation

    Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “cried”

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

When I regret a mistake, am I willing to face what I have done, not just seek relief?

Practice

Take a quiet moment today to acknowledge one mistake honestly, without making excuses.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayTears Cannot Undo a Great MistakeThis 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 1.18.38? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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