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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
1.19.121.19.14

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.13

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The fortunate Kingsince 1.19.13inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

राजोवाच

rājovāca

aho vayaṁ dhanyatamā nṛpāṇāṁ

mahattamānugrahaṇīya-śīlāḥ

rājñāṁ kulaṁ brāhmaṇa-pāda-śaucād

dūrād visṛṣṭaṁ bata garhya-karma

Translation

The fortunate King said: Indeed, we are the most grateful of all the kings who are trained to get favors from the great souls. Generally you [sages] consider royalty as refuse to be rejected and left in a distant place.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Value Devotion Above Material Opulence

  1. 1

    Transcendentalists are not captivated by royal opulence. They know this material world is a shadowy reflection of the reality, the kingdom of God.

  2. 2

    The sages were eager to see Mahārāja Parīkṣit because he was going back to Godhead. What appeared to be condemnation was actually the Lord calling him to return.

  3. 3

    The King gratefully connected their kindness with the devotional service of his forefathers. Pride in the Lord’s devotees is different from vain pride in material prosperity.

Key points from the purport
  • Other transcendentalists, the great sages and mystics who assembled together because of Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s fasting unto death, were quite anxious to see him, for he was going back to Godhead.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit also could understand that the great sages who assembled there were all kind to his forefathers, the Pāṇḍavas, because of their devotional service to the Lord.
  • He felt proud, therefore, that he happened to be the descendant of such great devotees.

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. rājā uvācathe fortunate King said
  2. ahoah
  3. vayamwe
  4. dhanya-tamāḥmost thankful
  5. nṛpāṇāmof all the kings
  6. mahat-tamaof the great souls
  7. anugrahaṇīya-śīlāḥtrained to get favors
  8. rājñāmof the royal
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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: “king”, “kingdom”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “devotional service”, “devotees”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “favors”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do you feel more admiration for material prosperity or for devotion to the Lord?

Practice

Name one devotional quality you admire in a devotee, and express your appreciation.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayValue Devotion Above Material OpulenceThis 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 1.19.13? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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