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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
1.19.231.19.25

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.24

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 1.19.23inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

ततश्च व: पृच्छ्‍यमिमं विपृच्छे

विश्रभ्य विप्रा इति कृत्यतायाम् ।

सर्वात्मना म्रियमाणैश्च कृत्यं

शुद्धं च तत्रामृशताभियुक्ता: ॥ २४ ॥

tataś ca vaḥ pṛcchyam imaṁ vipṛcche

viśrabhya viprā iti kṛtyatāyām

sarvātmanā mriyamāṇaiś ca kṛtyaṁ

śuddhaṁ ca tatrāmṛśatābhiyuktāḥ

Translation

O trustworthy brāhmaṇas, I now ask you about my immediate duty. Please, after proper deliberation, tell me of the unalloyed duty of everyone in all circumstances, and specifically of those who are just about to die.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotional Service Is Everyone’s Permanent Duty

  1. 1

    The King asked about everyone’s duty in all circumstances and the specific duty of someone about to die. The second question concerns everyone, because everyone must eventually die.

  2. 2

    The length of life is less important than understanding its duty. The conclusion is that devotional service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s permanent duty.

  3. 3

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit sought the sages’ considered agreement so he could proceed without controversy. The first-class method is to surrender at the Lord’s lotus feet, giving up other methods.

Key points from the purport
  • The first question is what is the duty of everyone in all circumstances, and the second question is what is the specific duty of one who is to die very shortly.
  • The duration of life is immaterial, but the duty of a dying man is very important.
  • The conclusion arrived at thereof is that devotional service of the Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, as it is confirmed by the Lord Himself in the last phases of the Bhagavad-gītā, is the last word in relation to everyone’s permanent duty in 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. tataḥas such
  2. caand
  3. vaḥunto you
  4. pṛcchyamthat which is to be asked
  5. imamthis
  6. vipṛcchebeg to ask you
  7. viśrabhyatrustworthy
  8. viprāḥbrāhmaṇas
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

  • Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct

    Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “duty”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • Śaraṇāgati · Wholehearted surrender

    Relinquishing ownership while entrusting oneself to the Lord. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “surrender”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How would remembering that my life is temporary change the priority I give devotional service?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today specifically for devotional service to Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotional Service Is Everyone’s Permanent DutyThis 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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