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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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Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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

1.18.38 1.18.40

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.39

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

स वा आङ्गिरसो ब्रह्मन् श्रुत्वा सुतविलापनम् ।

उन्मील्य शनकैर्नेत्रे द‍ृष्ट्वा

चांसे मृतोरगम् ॥ ३९ ॥

sa vā āṅgiraso brahman

śrutvā suta-vilāpanam

unmīlya śanakair netre

dṛṣṭvā cāṁse mṛtoragam

Translation

O brāhmaṇas, the ṛṣi, who was born in the family of Aṅgirā Muni, hearing his son crying, gradually opened his eyes and saw the dead snake around his neck.

Read this verse on Vedabase.io

This verse has no purport; its meaning is explained by the verses around it.

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Sage Hears His Son Crying

1
The ṛṣi was born in the family of Aṅgirā Muni.
2
Hearing his son crying, the ṛṣi gradually opened his eyes.
3
He saw a dead snake around his neck. The verse describes his noticing it without yet describing any response.

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.

saḥhe
vaialso
āṅgirasaḥthe ṛṣi born in the family of Aṅgirā
brahmanO Śaunaka
śrutvāon hearing
sutahis son
vilāpanamcrying in distress
unmīlyaopening

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: “hearing”
Viraha · Longing in separation
Love and remembrance experienced in apparent absence. · Theme in SB 1.18
In this verse: “crying”

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

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

When someone near me is distressed, do I pause to notice them?

Practice

Today, pause and give your attention to someone who seems distressed.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Sage Hears His Son CryingThis 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 1.18.39? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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