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 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada
1.4.111.4.13

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 1.4.12

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Śaunaka Ṛṣisince 1.4.2inside 1 frame: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya

शिवाय लोकस्य भवाय भूतये

य उत्तमश्लोकपरायणा जना: ।

जीवन्ति नात्मार्थमसौ पराश्रयं

मुमोच निर्विद्य कुत: कलेवरम् ॥ १२ ॥

śivāya lokasya bhavāya bhūtaye

ya uttama-śloka-parāyaṇā janāḥ

jīvanti nātmārtham asau parāśrayaṁ

mumoca nirvidya kutaḥ kalevaram

Translation

Those who are devoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead live only for the welfare, development and happiness of others. They do not live for any selfish interest. So even though the Emperor [Parīkṣit] was free from all attachment to worldly possessions, how could he give up his mortal body, which was the shelter for others?

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Devotion Seeks the Welfare of All

  1. 1

    Parīkṣit Mahārāja was an ideal king and householder because he was a devotee of the Personality of Godhead. Though personally unattached to opulence, he worked for his citizens' welfare in this life and the next.

  2. 2

    His protection extended to men, animals, plants and all living creatures. He would not protect one living being while allowing another to be killed.

  3. 3

    His interest was to please the Personality of Godhead, not to serve selfish interests. His administration aimed to guide everyone back home, back to Godhead.

Key points from the purport
  • Parīkṣit Mahārāja was an ideal king and householder because he was a devotee of the Personality of Godhead.
  • The king is the representative of the Supreme Lord, and therefore the king’s interest must be identical with that of the Supreme Lord.
  • Emperor Parīkṣit was a worthy king, and therefore all were happy during his reign.

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

Dissatisfaction → Inspired clarity. Even great accomplishment leaves Vyāsa without contentment until devotion is centered.

Chapters 4–6 of Canto 1: Vyāsa is dissatisfied; Nārada directs him to the Lord. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 4: The Appearance of Śrī Nārada

The sages inquire about Parīkṣit, while Sūta describes Vyāsadeva’s division of the Vedas and dissatisfaction.

Back to this verse in chapter 1.4
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. śivāyawelfare
  2. lokasyaof all living beings
  3. bhavāyafor flourishing
  4. bhūtayefor economic development
  5. yeone who is
  6. uttama-śloka-parāyaṇāḥdevoted to the cause of the Personality of Godhead
  7. janāḥmen
  8. jīvantido live
3

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

  • Rāja-dharma · Devotional leadership

    Serving and protecting through responsibility. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “emperor”, “king”, “citizens'”

  • Vairāgya · Freedom from attachment

    Release from possessiveness and false identities. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “give up”, “free from”

  • Moha · Material attachment

    The pull of ego, desire and impermanent relationships. · Theme in SB 1.4

    In this verse: “attachment”, “householder”

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

How can my care for others include their spiritual welfare as well as their immediate needs?

Practice

Do one small act of care for another living being today, with the intention of pleasing the Lord rather than gaining recognition.

5

The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayDevotion Seeks the Welfare of AllThis 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 1.4.12? 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