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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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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
1.19.261.19.28

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.27

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:The Kingsince 1.19.23inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

निगूढजत्रुं पृथुतुङ्गवक्षस-

मावर्तनाभिं वलिवल्गूदरं च ।

दिगम्बरं वक्त्रविकीर्णकेशं

प्रलम्बबाहुं स्वमरोत्तमाभम् ॥ २७ ॥

nigūḍha-jatruṁ pṛthu-tuṅga-vakṣasam

āvarta-nābhiṁ vali-valgūdaraṁ ca

dig-ambaraṁ vaktra-vikīrṇa-keśaṁ

pralamba-bāhuṁ svamarottamābham

Translation

His collarbone was fleshy, his chest broad and thick, his navel deep and his abdomen beautifully striped. His arms were long, and curly hair was strewn over his beautiful face. He was naked, and the hue of his body reflected that of Lord Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Uncommon Features of a Great Personality

  1. 1

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī had a broad chest, long arms and curly hair scattered over his beautiful face. The translation carefully describes his distinctive bodily features.

  2. 2

    The purport identifies these features as uncommon signs typical of great personalities. They distinguished him from ordinary men according to the traditional study of bodily signs.

  3. 3

    His bodily hue resembled that of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa is supreme among the gods, demigods and all living beings.

Key points from the purport
  • His bodily features indicate him to be different from common men.
  • All the signs described in connection with the bodily features of Śukadeva Gosvāmī are uncommon symptoms, typical of great personalities, according to physiognomical calculations.
  • His bodily hue resembled that of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is the supreme among the gods, demigods and all living beings.

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
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. nigūḍhacovered
  2. jatrumcollarbone
  3. pṛthubroad
  4. tuṅgaswollen
  5. vakṣasamchest
  6. āvartawhirled
  7. nābhimnavel
  8. vali-valgustriped
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

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does this description help me appreciate about Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s exceptional presence?

Practice

Reread the description today, pausing at the reminder that Lord Kṛṣṇa is supreme among all living beings.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUncommon Features of a Great PersonalityThis 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 1.19.27? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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