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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
1.18.431.18.45

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.44

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The brāhmaṇa’s son, Śṛṅgisince 1.18.33inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तदद्य न: पापमुपैत्यनन्वयं

यन्नष्टनाथस्य वसोर्विलुम्पकात् ।

परस्परं घ्नन्ति शपन्ति वृञ्जते

पशून् स्त्रियोऽर्थान् पुरुदस्यवो जना: ॥ ४४ ॥

tad adya naḥ pāpam upaity ananvayaṁ

yan naṣṭa-nāthasya vasor vilumpakāt

parasparaṁ ghnanti śapanti vṛñjate

paśūn striyo ’rthān puru-dasyavo janāḥ

Translation

Due to the termination of the monarchical regimes and the plundering of the people’s wealth by rogues and thieves, there will be great social disruptions. People will be killed and injured, and animals and women will be stolen. And for all these sins we shall be responsible.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Accept Responsibility for Harmful Consequences

  1. 1

    The sage’s use of “we” is significant. He accepts responsibility on behalf of the brāhmaṇa community for the destruction of protective monarchical government.

  2. 2

    The purport criticizes leaders who capture administrative posts for personal gratification without accepting responsibility for citizens’ prosperity.

  3. 3

    Without good government, plundering and social disruption spread. The sage recognizes responsibility for the resulting injury, killing and theft.

Key points from the purport
  • The sage rightly takes the responsibility of the brāhmaṇas as a community for killing monarchical government and thus giving an opportunity to the so-called democrats, who are generally plunderers of the wealth of the state subjects.
  • Everyone captures the post for personal gratification, and thus instead of one king, a number of irresponsible kings grow up to tax the citizens.
  • It is foretold herein that in the absence of good monarchical government, everyone will be the cause of disturbance for others by plundering riches, animals, women, etc.

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. tatfor this reason
  2. adyafrom this day
  3. naḥupon us
  4. pāpamreaction of sin
  5. upaitiwill overtake
  6. ananvayamdisruption
  7. yatbecause
  8. naṣṭaabolished
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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “government”, “citizens’”, “administrative”

  • Moha · Material attachment

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

    In this verse: “wealth”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “sins”

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

Do I consider how my decisions may affect people beyond myself?

Practice

Before one decision today, write down a possible consequence for someone who depends on you.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAccept Responsibility for Harmful ConsequencesThis 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 1.18.44? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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