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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
1.19.351.19.37

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.36

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

अन्यथा तेऽव्यक्तगतेर्दर्शनं न: कथं नृणाम् ।

नितरां म्रियमाणानां संसिद्धस्य वनीयस: ॥ ३६ ॥

anyathā te ’vyakta-gater

darśanaṁ naḥ kathaṁ nṛṇām

nitarāṁ mriyamāṇānāṁ

saṁsiddhasya vanīyasaḥ

Translation

Otherwise [without being inspired by Lord Kṛṣṇa] how is it that you have voluntarily appeared here, though you are moving incognito to the common man and are not visible to us who are on the verge of death?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

The Lord Sends His True Representative

  1. 1

    Lord Kṛṣṇa inspired Śukadeva Gosvāmī to appear before Mahārāja Parīkṣit and teach Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Devotional service begins through the mercy of the spiritual master and the Lord.

  2. 2

    The spiritual master is the Lord’s manifested representative, authorized to help others attain ultimate success. Receiving such guidance means receiving the Lord’s direct help.

  3. 3

    The Lord dwells in everyone’s heart and knows each person’s sincerity. When a soul is truly eager to return to Godhead, He sends His bona fide representative.

Key points from the purport
  • The spiritual master is the manifested representative of the Lord to help one achieve ultimate success.
  • Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī is an authorized spiritual master, and thus he was inspired by the Lord to appear before Mahārāja Parīkṣit and instruct him in the teachings of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
  • The sincere devotee is thus assured by the Lord of going back to Godhead.

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. anyathāotherwise
  2. teyour
  3. avyakta-gateḥof one whose movements are invisible
  4. darśanammeeting
  5. naḥfor us
  6. kathamhow
  7. nṛṇāmof the people
  8. nitarāmspecifically
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

  • Abhaya · Fearlessness

    Steadiness through faith amid danger and death. · Theme in SB 1.19

    In this verse: “death”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

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

    In this verse: “devotional service”

  • 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

How sincere is my desire to receive guidance and return to Godhead?

Practice

Offer a brief, sincere prayer to Lord Kṛṣṇa for the help of His bona fide representative.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayThe Lord Sends His True RepresentativeThis 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 1.19.36? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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