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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 19: The Appearance of Śukadeva Gosvāmī
1.19.111.19.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.12

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

सुखोपविष्टेष्वथ तेषु भूय:

कृतप्रणाम: स्वचिकीर्षितं यत् ।

विज्ञापयामास

विविक्तचेता

उपस्थितोऽग्रेऽभिगृहीतपाणि: ॥ १२ ॥

sukhopaviṣṭeṣv atha teṣu bhūyaḥ

kṛta-praṇāmaḥ sva-cikīrṣitaṁ yat

vijñāpayām āsa vivikta-cetā

upasthito ’gre ’bhigṛhīta-pāṇiḥ

Translation

After all the ṛṣis and others had seated themselves comfortably, the King, humbly standing before them with folded hands, told them of his decision to fast until death.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Consult Spiritual Authorities Before Important Decisions

  1. 1

    Although his decision was already firm, the King humbly presented it to the great authorities to hear their opinions.

  2. 2

    An important decision should be confirmed by an authority. Such confirmation makes the matter perfect.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit followed the guidance of saints and sages according to Vedic injunction, even in the last days of his life.

Key points from the purport
  • Although the King had already decided to fast until death on the bank of the Ganges, he humbly expressed his decision to elicit the opinions of the great authorities present there.
  • Any important decision, however firmly fixed, should be confirmed by some authority.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit, as a perfect king, followed the principles by consulting the authorities, even up to the last days of his life.

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. sukhahappily
  2. upaviṣṭeṣuall sitting down
  3. athathereupon
  4. teṣuunto them (the visitors)
  5. bhūyaḥagain
  6. kṛta-praṇāmaḥhaving offered obeisances
  7. svahis own
  8. cikīrṣitamdecision of fasting
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “death”

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “king”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What important decision would benefit from qualified spiritual guidance?

Practice

Write down one important decision and a question to bring to a qualified spiritual guide.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayConsult Spiritual Authorities Before Important DecisionsThis 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 1.19.12? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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