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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
1.19.21.19.4

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.3

Ūti· What drives us to act
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.19.1inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

अद्यैव राज्यं बलमृद्धकोशं

प्रकोपितब्रह्मकुलानलो मे ।

दहत्वभद्रस्य पुनर्न मेऽभूत्

पापीयसी धीर्द्विजदेवगोभ्य: ॥ ३ ॥

adyaiva rājyaṁ balam ṛddha-kośaṁ

prakopita-brahma-kulānalo me

dahatv abhadrasya punar na me ’bhūt

pāpīyasī dhīr dvija-deva-gobhyaḥ

Translation

I am uncivilized and sinful due to my neglect of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Therefore I wish that my kingdom, strength and riches burn up immediately by the fire of the brāhmaṇa’s wrath so that in the future I may not be guided by such inauspicious attitudes.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Use Wealth to Advance God Consciousness

  1. 1

    Progressive human civilization rests on brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection. Economic development should serve these principles rather than become a source of degradation.

  2. 2

    Even a strong king like Mahārāja Parīkṣit was induced to disregard brahminical culture through hunger and thirst. He regretted the incident and wished to lose wealth and power that were not serving higher principles.

  3. 3

    Every home and state should advance brahminical culture for self-purification, God consciousness for self-realization and cow protection for nourishing food. These are foundations for peace and prosperity.

Key points from the purport
  • Progressive human civilization is based on brahminical culture, God consciousness and protection of cows.
  • Where wealth and strength are not engaged in the advancement of brahminical culture, God consciousness and cow protection, the state and home are surely doomed by providence.
  • If we want peace and prosperity in the world, we should take lessons from this verse; every state and every home must endeavor to advance the cause of brahminical culture for self-purification, God consciousness for self-realization, and cow protection for getting sufficient milk and the best food to continue a perfect civilization.

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. adyathis day
  2. evaon the very
  3. rājyamkingdom
  4. balam ṛddhastrength and riches
  5. kośamtreasury
  6. prakopitaignited by
  7. brahma-kulaby the brāhmaṇa community
  8. analaḥfire
3

Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Ūti · The creative impetus

    Why do we act, and what keeps us bound? · Subject 5 of 10

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “kingdom”, “king”

  • Rakṣā · Divine protection

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

    In this verse: “protection”

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

    The reorientation of the heart toward service. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “sinful”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How could my resources better support God consciousness rather than neglect it?

Practice

Set aside a small amount of time or money today specifically to support God consciousness or cow protection.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayUse Wealth to Advance God ConsciousnessThis 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 1.19.3? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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