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
1.18.401.18.42

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.41

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇa’s son, Śṛṅgisince 1.18.33inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

निशम्य शप्तमतदर्हं नरेन्द्रं

स ब्राह्मणो नात्मजमभ्यनन्दत् ।

अहो बतांहो महदद्य ते कृत-

मल्पीयसि द्रोह उरुर्दमो धृत: ॥ ४१ ॥

niśamya śaptam atad-arhaṁ narendraṁ

sa brāhmaṇo nātmajam abhyanandat

aho batāṁho mahad adya te kṛtam

alpīyasi droha urur damo dhṛtaḥ

Translation

The father heard from his son that the King had been cursed, although he should never have been condemned, for he was the best amongst all human beings. The ṛṣi did not congratulate his son, but, on the contrary, began to repent, saying: Alas! What a great sinful act was performed by my son. He has awarded heavy punishment for an insignificant offense.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Heavy Punishment for a Small Offense

  1. 1

    In the Vedic way of life, a king is trained to become a rājarṣi, a saintly ruler. His good government allows citizens to live peacefully and without fear.

  2. 2

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit was a good and pious king who should not have been condemned. His insignificant offense did not justify a sentence of death.

  3. 3

    Śamīka Ṛṣi did not congratulate his son or approve his action. He lamented that Śṛṅgi had committed a great sin by imposing such heavy punishment.

Key points from the purport
  • The king is the best of all human beings.
  • Even if there is something wrong with the king, he is never to be condemned.
  • So what to speak of a good and pious king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit?

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. niśamyaafter hearing
  2. śaptamcursed
  3. atat-arhamnever to be condemned
  4. nara-indramunto the King, best of humankind
  5. saḥthat
  6. brāhmaṇaḥbrāhmaṇa-ṛṣi
  7. nanot
  8. ātma-jamhis own son
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Manvantara · The change of Manus

    What gives human life its right direction? · Subject 6 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “king”, “ruler”, “government”

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “heard”

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

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

    In this verse: “fear”, “death”

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

Can I recognize wrongdoing even when it comes from someone close to me?

Practice

Before correcting someone today, check that your response is proportionate to the mistake.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHeavy Punishment for a Small OffenseThis 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 1.18.41? 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