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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

1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
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

1.19.39 2.1.invocation

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.19.40

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Who is speaking and story frame

Speaking:Sūta Gosvāmīsince 1.19.40inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

सूत उवाच

एवमाभाषित: पृष्ट: स राज्ञा श्लक्ष्णया गिरा ।

प्रत्यभाषत धर्मज्ञो भगवान् बादरायणि: ॥ ४० ॥

sūta uvāca

evam ābhāṣitaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ

sa rājñā ślakṣṇayā girā

pratyabhāṣata dharma-jño

bhagavān bādarāyaṇiḥ

Translation

Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: The King thus spoke and questioned the sage, using sweet language. Then the great and powerful personality, the son of Vyāsadeva, who knew the principles of religion, began his reply.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Ask Gently and Learn from the Wise

1
The King spoke to the sage and asked his questions using sweet language. His manner shows respect in seeking instruction.
2
The son of Vyāsadeva knew the principles of religion. The verse describes him as a great and powerful personality.
3
After hearing the King’s questions, the sage began his reply. The exchange shows respectful questioning followed by instruction from one who knows religious principles.

Key points from the purport

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the First Canto, Nineteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “The Appearance 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

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

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

sūtaḥ uvācaŚrī Sūta Gosvāmī said
evamthus
ābhāṣitaḥbeing spoken
pṛṣṭaḥand asked for
saḥhe
rājñāby the King
ślakṣṇayāby sweet
girālanguage

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
Dharma · Duty and righteous conduct
Right action as duty, responsibility and devotion. · Theme in SB 1.19
In this verse: “religion”, “principles”
Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership
Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.19
In this verse: “king”
Prema · Transcendental love
The intimacy and sweetness of devotion to Kṛṣṇa. · Theme in SB 1.19
In this verse: “sweet”

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can I make my questions more gentle and respectful when seeking spiritual instruction?

Practice

Today, write down one question about spiritual life, phrasing it gently and respectfully for someone qualified to guide you.

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayAsk Gently and Learn from the WiseThis 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 1.19.40? Get an answer from the verses themselves.

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