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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
1.18.41.18.6

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.18.5

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.18.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

तावत्कलिर्न प्रभवेत् प्रविष्टोऽपीह सर्वत: ।

यावदीशो महानुर्व्यामाभिमन्यव

एकराट् ॥ ५ ॥

tāvat kalir na prabhavet

praviṣṭo ’pīha sarvataḥ

yāvad īśo mahān urvyām

ābhimanyava eka-rāṭ

Translation

As long as the great, powerful son of Abhimanyu remains the Emperor of the world, there is no chance that the personality of Kali will flourish.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Good Government Checks Harmful Influences

  1. 1

    The personality of Kali sought opportunities to spread his influence throughout the world. Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s presence prevented him from doing so freely.

  2. 2

    Disturbing elements always try to extend their harmful activities. An able government has the duty to check them.

  3. 3

    Although Mahārāja Parīkṣit allotted places for Kali, he gave the citizens no chance to be swayed by Kali’s influence.

Key points from the purport
  • As we have already explained, the personality of Kali had entered the jurisdiction of this earth long ago, and he was looking for an opportunity to spread his influence all over the world.
  • The disturbing elements like the personality of Kali will always try to extend their nefarious activities, but it is the duty of the able state to check them by all means.
  • Although Mahārāja Parīkṣit allotted places for the personality of Kali, at the same time he gave no chance for the citizens to be swayed by the personality of Kali.

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. tāvatso long
  2. kaliḥthe personality of Kali
  3. nacannot
  4. prabhavetflourish
  5. praviṣṭaḥentered in
  6. apieven though
  7. ihahere
  8. sarvataḥeverywhere
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: “emperor”, “government”, “citizens”

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.18

    In this verse: “duty”

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

What can you learn from the King’s care to protect others from harmful influences?

Practice

Identify one harmful influence within your responsibility and take one small step to limit it.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayGood Government Checks Harmful InfluencesThis 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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