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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
1.19.281.19.30

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.29

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

स विष्णुरातोऽतिथय आगताय

तस्मै सपर्यां शिरसाजहार ।

ततो निवृत्ता ह्यबुधा: स्त्रियोऽर्भका

महासने सोपविवेश पूजित: ॥ २९ ॥

sa viṣṇu-rāto ’tithaya āgatāya

tasmai saparyāṁ śirasājahāra

tato nivṛttā hy abudhāḥ striyo ’rbhakā

mahāsane sopaviveśa pūjitaḥ

Translation

Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who is also known as Viṣṇurāta [one who is always protected by Viṣṇu], bowed his head to receive the chief guest, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. At that time all the ignorant women and boys ceased following Śrīla Śukadeva. Receiving respect from all, Śukadeva Gosvāmī took his exalted seat.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Welcome Great Devotees With Humble Respect

  1. 1

    Mahārāja Parīkṣit was glad to receive a great devotee of the Lord. He bowed before Śukadeva Gosvāmī with all the limbs of his body.

  2. 2

    Śukadeva Gosvāmī reciprocated the greetings with embraces, handshakes, nods and bows, especially honoring his father and Nārada Muni. He was then offered the presidential seat.

  3. 3

    Those who had followed him frivolously withdrew when they saw the respect shown by the King and sages. The gathering became grave and calm.

Key points from the purport
  • On Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s arrival at the meeting, everyone, except Śrīla Vyāsadeva, Nārada and a few others, stood up, and Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was glad to receive a great devotee of the Lord, bowed down before him with all the limbs of his body.
  • Śukadeva Gosvāmī also exchanged the greetings and reception by embrace, shaking of hands, nodding and bowing down, especially before his father and Nārada Muni.
  • Thus he was offered the presidential seat at the meeting.

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. saḥhe
  2. viṣṇu-rātaḥMahārāja Parīkṣit (who is always protected by Lord Viṣṇu)
  3. atithayeto become a guest
  4. āgatāyaone who arrived there
  5. tasmaiunto him
  6. saparyāmwith the whole body
  7. śirasāwith bowed head
  8. ājahāraoffered obeisances
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

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

    Protection of devotees through the Lord’s intervention. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “protected”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotee”

  • 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

How can my welcome of a devotee express genuine humility rather than mere formality?

Practice

Offer a devotee a thoughtful greeting today, giving them your full and respectful attention.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayWelcome Great Devotees With Humble RespectThis 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 1.19.29? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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