1 · Learn4 of 6 · 5 min

Study a Verse

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

Or browse by canto and chapter
Canto

Canto 1 · Creation · 19 chapters

12345678910111213141516171819

Choose a chapter to see all its verses.

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
1.19.311.19.33

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.32

Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protection
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:King Parīkṣitsince 1.19.32inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

परीक्षिदुवाच

अहो अद्य वयं ब्रह्मन् सत्सेव्या: क्षत्रबन्धव: ।

कृपयातिथिरूपेण भवद्भ‍िस्तीर्थका: कृता: ॥ ३२ ॥

parīkṣid uvāca

aho adya vayaṁ brahman

sat-sevyāḥ kṣatra-bandhavaḥ

kṛpayātithi-rūpeṇa

bhavadbhis tīrthakāḥ kṛtāḥ

Translation

The fortunate King Parīkṣit said: O brāhmaṇa, by your mercy only, you have sanctified us, making us like unto places of pilgrimage, all by your presence here as my guest. By your mercy, we, who are but unworthy royalty, become eligible to serve the devotee.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Receive Saintly Mercy With Humility

  1. 1

    Saintly devotees like Śukadeva Gosvāmī are not interested in the company of worldly enjoyers. He came to Mahārāja Parīkṣit because the King was a great devotee.

  2. 2

    Although Mahārāja Parīkṣit was as great as his predecessors, devotional humility made him feel unworthy. He regarded the opportunity to serve the devotee as mercy.

  3. 3

    The King felt encouraged and sanctified by Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s presence. Such a saint’s presence turns a place into a place of pilgrimage.

Key points from the purport
  • Saintly devotees like Śukadeva Gosvāmī generally do not approach worldly enjoyers, especially those in royal orders.
  • He was a great devotee, although a king, and therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī came to see him in his last stage of life.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit was greatly encouraged by the presence of Śukadeva Gosvāmī.

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. parīkṣit uvācathe fortunate Mahārāja Parīkṣit said
  2. ahoah
  3. adyatoday
  4. vayamwe
  5. brahmanO brāhmaṇa
  6. sat-sevyāḥeligible to serve the devotee
  7. kṣatrathe ruling class
  8. bandhavaḥfriends
3

Key ideas in this verse

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

  • Poṣaṇa · Protection by the Lord

    How does the Lord care for His devotees? · Subject 4 of 10

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “king”

  • Kṛpā · Divine mercy

    Grace received beyond material calculations. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “mercy”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Do I receive opportunities to serve devotees as mercy rather than as something I deserve?

Practice

Offer one small service to a devotee today with gratitude.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayReceive Saintly Mercy With HumilityThis 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 1.19.32? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 5 of 11 · 2 minAsk the BhāgavatamBring your own question. Get an answer drawn only from the Bhāgavatam's translations, with every verse shown.Back · LearnCantos & stories