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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
1.18.471.18.49

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.48

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

तिरस्कृता विप्रलब्धा: शप्ता: क्षिप्ता हता अपि ।

नास्य तत् प्रतिकुर्वन्ति तद्भक्ता: प्रभवोऽपि हि ॥ ४८ ॥

tiraskṛtā vipralabdhāḥ

śaptāḥ kṣiptā hatā api

nāsya tat pratikurvanti

tad-bhaktāḥ prabhavo ’pi hi

Translation

The devotees of the Lord are so forbearing that even though they are defamed, cheated, cursed, disturbed, neglected or even killed, they are never inclined to avenge themselves.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Strength for Service, Not Revenge

  1. 1

    The Lord’s devotees are forbearing and do not seek revenge for personal insults, cheating, curses or neglect. A pure devotee is unconcerned with worldly advantages and reverses.

  2. 2

    This tolerance concerns personal affairs. When offenses are directed against the Lord and His devotees, devotees take strong action.

  3. 3

    A powerful devotee never misuses power for personal benefit. Whatever power the devotee has is used only in service to the Lord and His devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • Ṛṣi Śamīka also knew that the Lord does not forgive a person who has committed an offense at the feet of a devotee.
  • The Lord can only give direction to take shelter of the devotee.
  • Whatever power the devotee may have is always utilized in service towards the Lord and His devotees only.

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. tiraḥ-kṛtāḥbeing defamed
  2. vipralabdhāḥbeing cheated
  3. śaptāḥbeing cursed
  4. kṣiptāḥdisturbed by negligence
  5. hatāḥor even being killed
  6. apialso
  7. nanever
  8. asyafor all these acts
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Mukti · Liberation

    What is real freedom for the soul? · Subject 9 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “devotees”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “offenses”

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

Am I using my abilities for service or to defend my personal pride?

Practice

Instead of answering one personal slight today, use that time to do a small service for the Lord or His devotees.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Strength for Service, Not RevengeThis 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.

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