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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
  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 19: The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
1.19.9-101.19.12

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.11

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.19.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अन्ये च देवर्षिब्रह्मर्षिवर्या

राजर्षिवर्या अरुणादयश्च ।

नानार्षेयप्रवरान् समेता-

नभ्यर्च्य राजा शिरसा ववन्दे ॥ ११ ॥

anye ca devarṣi-brahmarṣi-varyā

rājarṣi-varyā aruṇādayaś ca

nānārṣeya-pravarān sametān

abhyarcya rājā śirasā vavande

Translation

There were also many other saintly demigods, kings and special royal orders called aruṇādayas [a special rank of rājarṣis] from different dynasties of sages. When they all assembled together to meet the Emperor [Parīkṣit], he received them properly and bowed his head to the ground.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Humility Invites Good Will

  1. 1

    Bowing the head to the ground to honor superiors is excellent etiquette that deeply touches the honored guest.

  2. 2

    Although honored by the sages and kings, Mahārāja Parīkṣit welcomed them humbly, seeking forgiveness for any offenses.

  3. 3

    Through this humility, he implored everyone’s good will for going back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • The system of bowing the head to the ground to show respect to superiors is an excellent etiquette which obliges the honored guest deep into the heart.
  • Even the first-grade offender is excused simply by this process, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit, although honored by all the ṛṣis and kings, welcomed all the big men in that humble etiquette in order to be excused from any offenses.
  • In this way Mahārāja Parīkṣit implored everyone’s good will for going back home, back to Godhead.

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 19: The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī

Parīkṣit accepts impending death, sits beside the Ganges, and asks Śukadeva Gosvāmī about perfection.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.19
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. anyemany others
  2. caalso
  3. devarṣisaintly demigods
  4. brahmarṣisaintly brāhmaṇas
  5. varyāḥtopmost
  6. rājarṣi-varyāḥtopmost saintly kings
  7. aruṇa-ādayaḥa special rank of rājarṣis
  8. caand
3

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “kings”, “emperor”

  • Dainya · Humility

    Ego yields to insight, service and surrender. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “humility”, “offenses”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can you seek forgiveness with genuine humility rather than defend your position?

Practice

Offer a sincere apology today for one offense you remember.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayHumility Invites Good WillThis 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 1.19.11? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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