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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
1.19.331.19.35

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.34

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

सान्निध्यात्ते महायोगिन्पातकानि महान्त्यपि ।

सद्यो नश्यन्ति वै पुंसां विष्णोरिव सुरेतरा: ॥ ३४ ॥

sānnidhyāt te mahā-yogin

pātakāni mahānty api

sadyo naśyanti vai puṁsāṁ

viṣṇor iva suretarāḥ

Translation

Just as the atheist cannot remain in the presence of the Personality of Godhead, so also the invulnerable sins of a man are immediately vanquished in your presence, O saint! O great mystic!

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Saintly Association Removes Sinful Influence

  1. 1

    The Lord’s devotees manifest godly qualities. The purport contrasts them with those who oppose Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead.

  2. 2

    The Lord appears through His transcendental name, form, attributes and pastimes. Opposing influences cannot stand His presence.

  3. 3

    Great saints and devotees belong to the Lord’s paraphernalia, and their presence vanquishes sins. The purport therefore recommends association with saintly devotees.

Key points from the purport
  • The demon cannot stand the presence of Viṣṇu, the Personality of Godhead.
  • The demons are always busy in trying to vanquish the Personality of Godhead, but factually as soon as the Personality of Godhead appears, by either His transcendental name, form, attributes, pastimes, paraphernalia or variegatedness, the demon is at once vanquished.
  • The great saints and devotees of the Lord are in the list of His paraphernalia, and thus as soon as a saintly devotee is present, the ghostly sins are at once vanquished.

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. sānnidhyāton account of the presence
  2. teyour
  3. mahā-yoginO great mystic
  4. pātakānisins
  5. mahāntiinvulnerable
  6. apiin spite of
  7. sadyaḥimmediately
  8. naśyantivanquished
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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

  • Śuddhi · Inner transformation

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

    In this verse: “sins”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotees”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Does the company I seek help me develop godly qualities?

Practice

Set aside a few minutes today to chant the holy name of the Lord.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todaySaintly Association Removes Sinful InfluenceThis 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 1.19.34? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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